Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Sunday 28th December 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.
Hello. Here’s a look at Sunday’s newspapers.
Many of today’s front pages focus on the search for a way forward in Ukraine. The Observer and the Independent lead with images of destruction alongside reports of talks between President Zelensky and President-elect Donald Trump — cautious diplomacy set against the reality of continued fighting.
At home, the Sunday Telegraph and Mail on Sunday concentrate on security and leadership, raising questions about extremism, borders and political responsibility.
Across the devolved nations, regional papers highlight pressure on public services — from mental health care in Wales to warnings of court backlogs in Scotland. In Ireland, concerns are raised about drugs, trafficking and political trust.
Amid the heavier news, there’s space for celebration and reflection. Several papers feature the wedding of Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay, while sport brings moments of unity, including tributes to footballer Diogo Jota.
Together, the papers reflect a country balancing global uncertainty with domestic challenges — and searching, as the year draws to a close, for stability and direction.
X posts:-
BBC News Papers’ Review analysing front pages of UK national newspapers for Sunday 28th December 2025: “‘War and peace in Ukraine’ and ‘Ramsay and Peaty take the plunge.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2005303200002523515
To:
Sky News Press Preview discussing front pages of UK national newspapers for Sunday 28th December 2025. With journalist and author Christina Patterson and Press Association news editor Theo Usherwood. People: ‘SAS fears for UK security.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2005302823056265283
Max Hastings writes for Times (behind paywall): ‘We must back BBC to the hilt against Trump. Assault on the broadcaster is part of wider game to discredit any news source that is not sympathetic to the president.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2004988952655306893
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
Latest postings at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/63500/
-o-
Chatered Institute of Journalists Young Journalist of the Year Awards 2026
Business and Financial Journalist of the year category sponsored by Cavendish
‘We’re delighted that Cavendish Tech and Innovation is sponsoring the Business/Financial Journalist of the Year category at The Chartered Institute of Journalists (CIoJ) Young Journalist of the Year Awards 2026. This comes as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the media industry and championing new journalistic talent.
These awards celebrate the very best young journalists across the UK, recognising outstanding achievements by those aged 30 and under. Specifically, the Business/Financial Journalist of the Year award highlights impactful stories that cover the business/financial aspects of a particular company, sector, or issue – from funding and corporate governance to financial outcomes and strategic insight.
Would you like to sponsor other categories for 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/
The Winners of the 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Awards will be announced in March 2026.
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
Gerald Bowey is the present President of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and Caroline Roddis, the 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 28th December 2025.
Across the UK and Ireland, Sunday papers split between global conflict and diplomacy, domestic political accountability, and a powerful counter-current of celebrity, community, and human-interest storytelling in the post-Christmas lull.
At-a-Glance Headlines & Themes
- Ukraine and global diplomacy dominate serious titles, with Zelensky–Trump talks framed as pivotal
- Domestic politics focus on leadership judgment, security, and trust
- Social harms — homelessness, drugs, mental health and courts under strain — feature strongly in regional papers
- Celebrity and sport provide emotional relief, led by Ramsay–Peaty wedding coverage and tributes to Diogo Jota
- Public services (NHS, courts, veterans’ care) are under scrutiny across devolved nations
- Festive aftermath stories highlight travel chaos, homelessness, and inequality
Full Online Review
Sunday’s newspapers present a nation — and a continent — suspended between war and resolution, accountability and fatigue, celebration and concern.
Global Affairs
The Observer leads with a stark image from Ukraine under the headline “War and peace”, reporting on efforts by President Zelensky and President-elect Donald Trump to explore a possible diplomatic opening. The tone is sober and humanitarian, emphasising civilian cost alongside cautious optimism.
The Independent on Sunday echoes this framing, reporting renewed Russian attacks while highlighting diplomatic urgency. The focus is on intent versus reality, questioning whether talks can genuinely halt escalation.
UK Politics
The Sunday Telegraph foregrounds domestic security and leadership, focusing on concerns around extremism and border control. Its tone is assertive, emphasising vigilance and authority.
The Mail on Sunday takes a more confrontational approach, leading on political protection and accountability, framing Westminster as under strain and trust as fragile.
By contrast, the Sunday Times offers a layered political agenda: scrutiny of advisers, institutional responsibility, and the ethics of power — paired with wider geopolitical coverage including naval security and intelligence.
Society and Public Services
Regional titles give voice to lived experience:
- Wales on Sunday highlights a disturbing account of a veteran allegedly left untreated in a mental health unit, raising questions about NHS oversight.
- Scotland on Sunday warns of a looming “courts breakdown”, citing rising caseloads and systemic pressure.
- The Scottish Sunday Mail leads with homelessness, describing “streets of despair” as record numbers of children are affected.
In Ireland, the Sunday Independent reports political recalibration after budget backlash, while the Irish Daily Mail raises alarm over teenagers accessing hard drugs via social media — a story mirrored by concerns in British tabloids about online safety.
Culture, Sport and Human Interest
The lighter register is dominated by the Ramsay–Peaty wedding, splashed across the Sun on Sunday, Sunday Mirror, People, Mail, and Sunday Times. Coverage ranges from celebratory to intrusive, reflecting tabloids’ continued reliance on celebrity narratives during quieter news cycles.
Sport provides moments of unity:
- The Daily Star Sunday leads with a moving tribute to footballer Diogo Jota, framed as collective remembrance.
- Scottish papers celebrate domestic sport success, offering relief from heavier themes.
Wider Front Pages – What Else Leads
- Sunday World (Ireland) focuses on a mother’s plea for justice after a child’s death, foregrounding grief and accountability.
- Manchester Evening News (Sunday edition) highlights city-centre traffic chaos, linking post-Christmas tourism with infrastructure strain.
- Sunday Express leads on law-and-order politics, reinforcing its traditional editorial line.
Side-by-Side Political Framing Comparison
| Theme | Left-Leaning / Liberal Titles | Right-Leaning / Conservative Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | Humanitarian cost, diplomacy | Strength, deterrence |
| UK leadership | Ethics, accountability | Authority, security |
| Social issues | Structural failure | Individual responsibility |
| Migration | Context and complexity | Control and enforcement |
Integrated Nations & Regions Snapshot
- Wales: NHS accountability, veterans’ welfare
- Scotland: Courts capacity, governance, public trust
- England (Regions): Urban pressure, homelessness, transport
- Ireland: Drugs, trafficking, fiscal politics
Together, regional papers deepen the national picture, showing how policy debates translate into daily life.
Tomorrow’s Papers — What to Expect
- Continued focus on Ukraine diplomacy as details of talks emerge
- Political reaction to social media regulation and youth protection
- Further scrutiny of public services amid winter strain
- A gradual shift from festive human-interest back toward hard politics as Parliament looms
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 28th December 2025
French Newspapers for Sunday 28th December 2025
Montage of world newspaper Sunday 28th December 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