Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Thursday 12th 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 Thursday 12th February 2026: ”Police assessing Andrew’s “leaks”‘ and ‘Outrage at Prem boss.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2021813977911636435
To:
Sky News ‘The Wrap’ discussing Thursday’s newspaper front pages 12th February 2026. With Stephen Bush, associate editor FT, and Kate Ferguson, The Sun on Sunday’s political editor. Express: ‘UK “Colonised by Migrants” Claims United Chief.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2021815506026549543
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
Former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers in 2022 and her husband editor Martin Frizell admits life is tough. See: https://www.linkedin.com/…/urn:li:activity…
To:
ITV has officially confirmed that the British Soap Awards will not take place this year, marking the second time the ceremony has been cancelled. See: https://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 Thursday 12th February 2026
Several of the papers focus on growing political pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over appointments linked to figures accused of sexual offences.
The Guardian leads with: “Select female deputy to end ‘boys club’ in No 10, PM told”, reporting that senior female Labour MPs are urging the Prime Minister to appoint a woman to a senior role after a series of controversies.
The Independent carries a similar theme under the headline: “Furious women MPs turn on Starmer over ‘boys club’ scandals”, saying Harriet Harman is leading calls for what it describes as a “complete culture change” in Downing Street.
The Daily Mail is more direct, with: “LABOUR WOMEN’S FURY OVER SECOND PAEDOPHILE CRISIS”, claiming Sir Keir’s judgement has been questioned following another controversial peerage appointment.
The Times reports: “PM knew his peerage pick had backed sex offender”, and says the Prime Minister has been attacked over the appointment of his former communications chief to the Lords.
The Daily Express also focuses on the row, with its splash: “UK ‘COLONISED BY MIGRANTS’ CLAIMS UNITED CHIEF”, but it carries a secondary headline: “PM accused of giving power to ‘paedophile apologists’”, reflecting criticism from opposition figures.
Immigration and identity politics are prominent elsewhere too.
The Times front page also features: “UK has been ‘colonised’ by immigrants, says Man Utd owner”, reporting comments by Sir Jim Ratcliffe that have drawn political reaction.
That same quote is picked up strongly by the Daily Express, while the Daily Mirror leads with: “SHAMEFUL”, under the line: “Fury at Man United chief’s ‘UK colonised by immigrants’ rant”, describing widespread backlash to the remarks.
Royal coverage is also widespread today.
The Sun runs a large front-page exclusive: “CREDIT CARD”, claiming: “Queen, Philip and Charles loaned Andy £12m for Virginia pay-off. He hasn’t paid back a penny… and he faces police Epstein probe.”
Similarly, the i newspaper leads with: “Andrew faces growing police inquiry into Epstein links”, reporting that detectives are assessing allegations and examining possible misconduct in public office.
The Star runs the headline: “Man U Jim ‘Racism’ Storm- ‘They are draining resources from the “state.”‘”
The Daily Telegraph carries: “Detectives and CPS in talks over Andrew”, saying prosecutors are reviewing material linked to Jeffrey Epstein as part of the inquiry.
The Financial Times, meanwhile, takes a business-focused approach. Its main headline reads: “Biggest wealth managers take beating in latest round of disruption from AI”, reporting that investment firms have been hit amid rapid technological change.
Finally, the Guardian also features a prominent obituary-style tribute with: “Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek dies aged 48.”
Across the front pages, the dominant themes are mounting political pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over appointments and party culture, renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew and his links to Jeffrey Epstein, strong reaction to comments about immigration from a leading businessman, and, in the Financial Times, concern about the impact of artificial intelligence on global finance.
Review of front pages of UK’s regional England, and nation Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland newspapers
We begin in London with the Metro, which leads with: “Jammy dodger”, and the line: “2 YEARS SKIPPING £3,600 FARES… BUT NO JAIL.” The paper reports that a man who admitted dodging thousands of pounds in train fares avoided an immediate prison sentence, prompting political reaction.
In the North West, the Manchester Evening News splashes on a violent attack with: “PATIENT STABBED NURSE IN HOSPITAL ‘BLOODBATH’”, reporting that an attacker has been jailed for 22 years for attempting to murder what it describes as a “kind and patient” NHS worker.
In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Post leads with: “Families’ fury over maternity inquiry”, saying Health Secretary Wes Streeting is under fire as a senior midwife insists she can lead a review into maternity services.
In the Midlands, the Birmingham Post‘s front page headline is ‘Landlords bag £400 a week of public cash for every room. More revelations in housing scandal that is changing face of Birmingham.’
Turning to Wales, the Western Mail reports: “Top restaurant’s failings revealed”, detailing hygiene concerns at a prominent establishment.
The South Wales Echo carries the headline: “MAN MADE THREATS TO ‘STAB, CUT AND SLICE’ STUDENTS”, covering a case involving alarming online threats against a college.
In Scotland, the Daily Record leads with: “AI CAMERAS TO SPY ON DRIVERS”, under the strapline: “ROBO-TECH TO SNARE ‘DISTRACTED’ MOTORISTS.” It reports on new technology designed to detect drivers using mobile phones, alongside privacy concerns.
The Scotsman focuses on welfare policy with: “Claim lack of checks leaves Scots benefits open to abuse”, reporting opposition criticism over assessment processes.
Meanwhile, The Herald leads on Scottish Labour politics with: “Sarwar stands firm over call for PM to step aside”, describing the party leader’s position amid wider debate about the UK leadership.
In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph reports: “Massive disparity in prosecutions for terror displays”, saying that 88 per cent of cases in the past decade involve republicans, according to its analysis.
And the Irish News leads with: “Victims’ anger after attempts to alter wording on memorial”, reporting controversy over proposed changes to the wording on a plaque relating to victims of historical institutional abuse.
Across the regional front pages, crime and justice stories feature prominently, alongside debates over public services, welfare oversight, policing and political leadership. There is also a strong focus on local accountability — whether in healthcare, transport enforcement, public safety or how history is commemorated.
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 Thursday 12th February 2026
French Newspapers for Thursday 12th February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Thursday 12th 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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