Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Sunday 26th October 2025.
Journalism is the first draft of history and these daily reports seek to provide an online briefing of the history of journalism for each day featured.
The Chartered Institute of Journalists remembers all the professional journalists and media workers murdered and killed while doing their work this year in all parts of the world and remember the immense sacrifice of those who gave their lives to the profession in the past. We send our condolences to their families, friends and professional colleagues.
The Chartered Institute of Journalists wishes to make it absolutely clear that all our reporting of stories about journalism and media saying ‘reports’ ‘writes for’ ‘briefing’ or attribution followed by colon, does not imply or mean our agreement or endorsing with the quoted headline or linked story. Our policy is impartiality & apolitical.
X posts:-
BBC News Papers’ Review analysing front pages of UK national newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025: “Andrew faces Commons ‘humiliation’ and ‘Mansion tax raid.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/1982383662202265937
To:
Sky News Press Preview discussing front pages of UK national newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025. With journalist and author Christina Patterson, and former Conservative special adviser Anita Boateng. Observer: ‘ Who trolled Virginia Giuffre?’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/1982383313886355750
Alexi Mostrous, Investigations Editor writes for the Observer: ‘A deep dive into the troll account set up to bring down Virginia Giuffre.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/1982521589003653255
Times obituary (behind paywall) ‘Brian Harris: leading Times photographer. Photographer who documented history being made and admonished a prime minister dies aged 73.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/1982225780852535406
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
Latest postings at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/63500/
Opportunity to sponsor CIoJ Young Journalist Awards for 2026. ‘Host a category and add your brand to the 2026 Young Journalist Awards.’ See: https://www.cioj.org/young-journalists-awards-2026/
Entry for CIoJ Young Journalist of the Year awards for 2026 is now open. Register to be ready to put in your nominations. See: https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/youngjournalistaward/contenttabs/?ctid=5607
Put your young journalists into these awards
If you have young journalists (30 or under), working in-house or on a freelance basis on your team why not encourage them to enter any of the categories that may apply.
ENTER ONLINE FOR FREE:
https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/youngjournalistaward
Non-members of the Chartered Institute of Journalists can enter and will receive a range of benefits, see below link, and category winners will be given prizes in addition to an award.
Key dates, benefits, and FAQs can be found on the website here:
https://registration.livegroup.co.uk/youngjournalistaward/faq
The range of awards offer an opportunity for young journalists to showcase their work, gain recognition for themselves and the media outlet, in any UK location, that they write for, and win prizes.
Please share this invitation with your young journalists.
Many congratulations to winners, specially commended and finalists in inaugural 2025 CIoJ Young Journalist of the Year Awards, on 25th March 2025. See: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/live-group_youngjournalistawards-journalismmatters-cioj-activity-7310632030642339840-68d4?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAeLiVwB8a2_okGmo5JT2aJ02kIVH-ra9No
Many congratulations to Gerald Bowey, the new President of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and Caroline Roddis, the new Vice-President. Their roles were confirmed in a handover event at the Reform Club in Central London on Tuesday 20th February 2024.
Bowey emphasised the guidance, support, and encouragement that had been at the heart of the Institute for 140 years and announced the launch of a new Young Journalist of the Year awards scheme that would encourage journalists under 30 years of age to enter a range of categories.
Commenting Bowey said: “the Institute is focused on supporting working journalists, both in-house and freelance, in the workplace, as a trade union, and in sustaining journalists in difficult circumstances as a charitable trust.
-o-
Two Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Journalists at the heart of British Journalism History
T.P.O’Connor founder of London campaigning evening newspaper The Star in 1888 and Arthur Burrows the first journalist and news presenter at the B.B.C. 1922.
-o-
CIoJ member Clare Hollingworth OBE (1911-2017) – The first war correspondent to report the outbreak of World War II, described as “the scoop of the century”
Listen to Imperial War Museum archive interview with Clare recorded in 2001
-o-
CIoJ X news feed at: https://x.com/CIoJournalist
CIoJ LinkedIn news feed edited by Liz Justice at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/63500/
CIoJ Facebook news feed at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077475452242
Official CIoJ LinkedIn site for Institute news and projects at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-chartered-institute-of-journalists/posts/?feedView=all
Chartered Institute of Journalists website at: https://www.cioj.org/
Review of UK national newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025.
Labour’s tax row, royal pressure and army scandal dominate Sunday papers
The Sunday front pages mix political tension with scandal and human drama — as reports of new tax rises and a ministerial backlash jostle with renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew, and an exclusive exposé on misconduct in the armed forces.
At a glance
- The Mail on Sunday claims Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning a new “mansion tax” on high-value homes, prompting warnings it could “punish hard work and aspiration.”
- The Sunday Telegraph says a Labour think tank has turned on the party’s flagship workers’ rights bill, calling it “a risk to jobs.”
- The Independent reports that Reeves is under pressure to raise income tax for top earners to fill a £40bn budget gap.
- The Sunday Times leads on Prince Andrew facing humiliation in the Commons, where MPs may move to strip his titles for good.
- The Sunday Mirror runs an exclusive on Stephen Fry’s near-fatal cocaine binge, revealed by his friend Ben Elton.
- The Sunday Express warns that 90% of councils will be housing asylum seekers by year-end, with critics saying taxpayers face soaring costs.
- The Observer focuses on Virginia Giuffre, highlighting new claims about online harassment linked to her legal battles.
- The Daily Star Sunday splashes on a rise in UK troops accused of flashing, with the headline “Privates on parade.”
- The Sunday People features an exclusive on the “forest lair” of the Madeleine McCann suspect, reportedly living in a tent in Germany.
- Scotland on Sunday highlights a “massive rise” in serious court cases, warning of delays and a shortage of judges.
Full review
The Sunday papers deliver a wide and uneasy mix of politics, scandal and celebrity confession — with the Labour government’s economic plans and the ongoing turmoil around Prince Andrew dominating broadsheet coverage.
The Mail on Sunday leads with what it calls a “new class war bombshell.” Under the headline “Reeves is plotting mansion tax raid on homes,” the paper reports that the Chancellor is considering an annual charge on properties worth more than £3 million as part of next month’s Budget. The Mail warns that “hard work and aspiration” will be punished, and quotes critics describing the idea as “a crude instrument.” Its front page also features a showbiz exclusive about singer Lily Allen, who it claims “says a love rival wrecked her marriage.”
The Sunday Telegraph focuses on internal Labour divisions, leading with “Starmer told to bin workers’ rights.” It says a Labour-linked think tank has turned on the government’s flagship bill, warning that it could “cripple jobs.” A smaller story beneath the fold revisits the Epping case, reporting that a freed sex offender “tried to hand himself in but was rejected.” The paper pairs its serious political lead with a bright autumnal photograph of Zara Tindall at a race meeting, balancing tone and texture typical of its Sunday edition.
The Sunday Times strikes a distinctly constitutional note. Its main story — “Andrew faces humiliation in the Commons” — reports that MPs will debate stripping the Duke of York of his remaining titles, forcing the King to find him an alternative royal residence. Alongside runs a commentary from Rishi Sunak warning Labour not to raise taxes “if it wants growth.” Below the fold, the paper includes analysis of the “Hartlepool moment” that Labour faces after its Welsh by-election loss, and a report on research suggesting cannabis use is “wrecking teen brains.” Its weekend blend is part politics, part cultural feature, with Lily Allen interviewed about “a very tough year.”
The Independent on Sunday continues the economic theme, with “Reeves faces pressure to increase income tax for highest earners.” It says ministers are discussing breaking Labour’s manifesto pledge with a “tax raid on the wealthy” to plug a £40bn deficit. Above, a stark red banner warns that hospitals face “Armageddon” amid an NHS winter crisis, while the lead photograph shows the Epping offender at the centre of the week’s prison blunder.
Across the political spectrum, the Sunday press reflects an air of disquiet within Labour ranks — an unease mirrored in the Observer, which moves beyond Westminster to focus on “Who trolled Virginia Giuffre?” The investigative headline accompanies a large, striking portrait of Giuffre, exploring a new dimension of the long-running Epstein saga. Sidebar features include commentary on the Chancellor’s coming Budget and Will Hutton’s essay on “how to help UK plc thrive.”
Among the tabloids, the tone shifts to shock and showbusiness.
The Sunday Mirror devotes its front to “Stephen Fry nearly died after cocaine binge.” The story, drawn from a forthcoming interview with Ben Elton, recalls how the comedian was rushed to hospital in the 1990s after “minutes from death or brain damage.” Alongside, there’s an emotional human-interest headline: “Paula Hudgell — my agony that I’ll not live to see Tony wed.”
The Sunday Express returns to its familiar territory of migration, with the giant headline “90% of councils to house migrants by end of the year.” It claims almost 40,000 asylum seekers will move into taxpayer-funded homes, describing a “quiet revolution” in Home Office planning. A photograph of Strictly Come Dancing presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly provides a lighter sidebar, thanking fans for “beautiful messages” after their departure from the show.
The Daily Star Sunday takes a very different approach: “Privates on parade,” it proclaims in block capitals, highlighting what it calls a “shocking increase” in UK troops accused of flashing. The paper describes it as the “latest sex scandal to rock the British Armed Forces.” Its cover includes smaller bursts of entertainment — including “Balvinder Strictly quit fear” — staying true to its “news with a wink” slogan.
The Sunday People returns to crime reporting with “Forest lair of Maddie suspect.” The exclusive claims that Christian Brueckner, already convicted of other offences, is living in a tent in German woods while parents protest nearby. It’s illustrated with a sombre photograph of Brueckner in a dark hoodie, offering the day’s most unsettling image.
North of the border, Scotland on Sunday leads with “Courts face massive rise in the most serious cases.” It reports that Scotland’s justice system is “drowning in demand,” warning that trials for sexual offences and violent crimes could more than triple by 2030. Its front also carries autumnal photography and cultural coverage, including a feature on Simple Minds’ new memoir and a sports piece on Hearts midfielder Beni Baningime.
In Wales, The Wales on Sunday provides a bold declaration from a grieving widow for a change in the law: ‘His Motivation To Live Made Him Into The Bravest Person.’ Readers are invited to buy the paper and read the full story on page 5.
Across the newsstand, the mood is one of strain and reckoning: Labour faces internal revolt over taxation and workers’ rights, the monarchy wrestles with its past, and institutions from the Army to the courts are struggling under scrutiny. Yet amid the tension, the weekend papers preserve familiar rituals — Strictly sequins, celebrity confessions and royal intrigue — offering readers both alarm and escape on a late-October Sunday.
CIoJ LinkedIn news stories, Hold The Front Page news stories, Guardian media news stories, Press Gazette news stories, Arab News media stories and other stories from miscellaneous sources
The Institute calls on Belarus to release the journalists and media workers it has detained. Belarus is currently ranked 167th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index. See: https://rsf.org/en/country/belarus RSF states: ‘To silence independent journalists, the authorities have resorted to state-sponsored terrorism, including censorship, violence, mass arrests, and coordinated raids on homes and media offices, as well as disbanding the Association of Belarusian Journalists (BAJ).’
The CIoJ calls on all governments and states unjustly detaining journalists for doing their professional work to respect freedom of expression, the right to liberty and free them immediately. See: https://rsf.org/en/new-record-number-journalists-jailed-worldwide
North American Newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025
French Newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025
Montage of world newspapers for Sunday 26th October 2025
-o-
This posting has been produced with the assistance of AI editorial and production services from ChatGPT Plus and Gemini.
All Kultura Press online publications are on Open Access to support the dissemination of knowledge and understanding about journalism, journalism history and other subjects. The research and writing for this ongoing project is not funded in any way. If you would like to assist covering any of the costs involved, do consider making any kind of donation and/or subscribing monthly or yearly using the form below. Many thanks for your consideration.
-o-
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyMore Open Access online publications from Kultura Press Chelsea History and Studies George Orwell Studies Media Law Studies Writing Audio Drama That’s So Goldsmiths Journalism History Studies Somerset Maugham Studies Dad’s Army Studies Joseph Conrad Studies Maigret History and Studies Writing for Broadcast Journalists 3rd Edition