Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Monday 9th February 2026.
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 Monday 9th February 2026: “‘PM’s aide quits’ and ‘How long can PM cling on?'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2020761737989918974
To:
Sky News The Wrap: What’s on Monday’s newspaper front pages? With Aubery Allegretti, chief political correspondent of Times, and Kirsty Buchanan former adviser to Theresa May. Telegraph: ‘Starmer plays his last card.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2020762980728684761
Guardian reports: ‘Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong pro-democracy figure, sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security offences. Family of media tycoon say he will ‘die a martyr behind bars’, amid widespread criticism from press freedom groups’ See: https://www.theguardian.com/…/jimmy-lai-sentencing…
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
The Brit who fronted the mass layoffs of journalists at the Washington Post on Wednesday, announced that he is leaving the company on Saturday evening. See: https://www.linkedin.com/…/urn:li:activity…
Latest CIoJ LinkedIn news feed stories edited by Liz Justice at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/63500/
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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.
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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.
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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
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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 Monday 9th February 2026.
Here is a round-up of eleven of Monday’s UK national newspaper front pages.
Many of the papers lead on the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and the political fallout over the Mandelson appointment.
The Daily Telegraph headline reads: “Starmer plays his last card as McSweeney leaves No 10”, describing the prime minister’s right-hand man quitting after backlash over his role in the appointment of Lord Mandelson.
The Times leads with: “PM’s top aide quits over support for Mandelson”, reporting concern over exchanges with the former ambassador and saying No 10 denies Sir Keir is considering his own position.
The same theme dominates The Guardian, which says: “Starmer fights to regain control over party after McSweeney exit”, adding that allies hope the resignation will quell anger over the Mandelson scandal.
The Daily Mirror declares a “LABOUR LEADERSHIP CRISIS”, with the headline: “Keir Starmer’s top aide quits after taking ‘full responsibility’ for the Mandelson debacle… but pressure still on PM”, alongside the bold line: “BLAME ME”.
The Daily Express asks: “ARE STARMER’S DAYS NUMBERED AS KEY AIDE RESIGNS?”, saying the Number 10 chief of staff admitted mistakes over the Mandelson row.
The Daily Mail similarly questions the prime minister’s position with: “SO HOW LONG CAN STARMER CLING ON?”, and reports: “Sir Keir’s chief of staff resigns over Mandelson scandal”.
The i newspaper frames it as: “Operation save Starmer: No 10 chief forced out to buy PM time”, suggesting the resignation is intended to steady the government.
While the political crisis dominates many front pages, other papers take different angles.
TheSun reports on its front page the allegation: ‘Email to Paedo Pal. Andy Leaked Envoy Docs To Epstein.’ It also highlights Man City’s 2-1 defeat of Liverpool at Anfield: ‘It’s still Haal to play for.’
The Financial Times leads internationally with: “Starmer battles to save premiership after top aide McSweeney steps down”, and also reports on Japan’s election result under the headline: “Japan victory: Takaichi’s poll bet pays off”.
The Independent focuses on foreign affairs and human rights with: “China is urged to end the ‘barbaric’ detention of Hong Kong activist and UK citizen Jimmy Lai”, while also reporting: “Starmer’s chief of staff quits over Mandelson scandal”.
Finally, the Daily Star takes a lighter approach, promoting “FREE BUMPER PUZZLE PULLOUTS INSIDE EVERY DAY” and leading on sport and entertainment with “MADGE’S MATERIAL GOALS!”, referring to Madonna supporting her daughters at a football match. It also notes: “Keir aide resigns”.
Across the front pages, the dominant theme is political instability in Downing Street following the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, with several titles openly questioning Sir Keir Starmer’s authority. Alongside that, there is coverage of international affairs, financial markets, human rights concerns in China, and sport and entertainment stories.
Review of newspaper front pages for English regions, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Here is a round-up of ten regional front pages from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Several titles lead on the continuing political fallout at Westminster following the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff.
The Metro headline reads: “PM’s top aide resigns over Mandelson catastrophe”, under the strap “Starmer loses his ‘election mastermind’”, reporting that Morgan McSweeney said the row was “all my fault”.
In Scotland, The Scotsman says: “Pressure on Starmer ramps up after chief of staff resigns”, noting the prime minister’s right-hand man has taken “full responsibility” for what it describes as a wrong decision.
The Daily Record goes further with: “MORGAN HAS BROKEN”, under the line “PM’s aide finally takes Mandy rap”, saying McSweeney resigned and accepted blame.
Similarly, The Yorkshire Post leads with: “Starmer under pressure to quit as key aide steps down”, reporting that the prime minister is facing intense scrutiny following the latest developments.
In Wales, the political story is not the main splash. The Western Mail leads with: “Plaid: We will not raise income tax”, focusing on Welsh politics, while also reporting: “Tandy rules out ‘knee-jerk’ reaction to shambles” in sport.
The South Wales Echo front page carries a tribute following a fatal stabbing, headlined: “TRIBUTES TO RUGBY PLAYER AFTER FATAL STABBING”, adding that five remain in custody amid a murder inquiry.
In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph leads with a court case under the headline: “Embittered divorcee faces £15k payout after ‘affair’ email court case”, and also features an interview with the daughter of Colin Howell saying: “I will never get over the pain of losing my mum”.
The Irish News focuses on church finances, reporting: “Catholic dioceses sitting on £400m cash and assets”, alongside a separate story describing a “wake-up call” as the number of priests falls.
In England’s regional press, the Manchester Evening News headline reads: “Tragic James ‘failed by hospital’”, with an expert saying “massive alarm bells” went unheeded. It also carries sport coverage of Manchester City’s win at Anfield.
Finally, The Herald in Scotland features a striking image on its front page under the banner: “The New Highland Clearances Revisited”, saying: “Our pledge was to keep Highland issues in the spotlight – now we are back”, highlighting a special investigation into depopulation and rural challenges.
Across the regional front pages, there is a mix of national political turmoil, devolved policy debates in Wales and Scotland, serious crime and court cases in Northern Ireland and South Wales, and a strong focus on local investigations and community concerns.
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 Monday 9th February 2026
French Newspapers for Monday 9th February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Monday 9th February 2026
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This posting has been produced with the assistance of AI editorial and production services from ChatGPT Plus and Gemini.
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