Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Wednesday 18th 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 newspaper front pages for 18th February 2026: “‘Pressure piles on Andrew’ and ‘Jesse Jackson dies at 84.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2024028907263922475
To:
Sky News ‘The Wrap’ discussing Wednesday’s newspaper front pages 18th February 2026. With Jack Elsom, Sun’s political editor, and Jenny Kleeman, journalist and broadcaster. Mail: ‘Pressure piles on Andrew as 4th police force probes Epstein claims.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2024030304529211522
Toby Young writes for Telegraph (behind paywall): ‘Starmer has exposed the lie at the heart of the Online Safety Act. The Government plans to give itself sinister Orwellian powers.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2024097795842404680 & https://www.telegraph.co.uk/…/government-sinister…/
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
Those watching The Late Show presenter Stephen Colbert openly feuding with his current employer, CBS, may wonder what is happening, but people who read this Blog know his strategy is not without reason. 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.
See: https://www.cioj.org/young-journalists-awards-2026/
The Winners of the 2026 Young Journalist of the Year Awards will be announced 17th March 2026.
Finalists for 2026 Awards
YOUNG BUSINESS/FINANCIAL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Nikou Asgari, Financial Times
Lucy Frost, International Financial Review
Sofia Gerace, mlex.com
YOUNG NEWS REPORTER OF THE YEAR
Charlotte Anderson, Romford Recorder/Local London
Isabel Clark, Southwark News
Megan Owen, BBC London
YOUNG ENVIRONMENT JIOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Charlotte Anderson, Romford Recorder/London Local
Ellen Ormesher, DeSmog UK
YOUNG CAMPAIGNING JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Charlotte Anderson, Romford Recorder – online and in print
Patricia Figueiredo, mlex.com
YOUNG FEATURE WRITER OF THE YEAR
Simon Ezra-Jackson, The Damned, print magazine, The New World. print/online
Annaliese Smith, moretohistory.com, Birmingham Dispatch, Discover Wildlife
Joseph Watt, Ultramarathon, print magazine/online, The Offset, print magazine/online.
YOUNG POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE YEAR
Jiji Ahn, BBC News
Jasmine Cameron-Chileshe, ITV National News
Amy Gibbons, The Daily Telegraph
YOUNG ARTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Katie Chambers, The Stage
Sofia de la Cruz, Wallpaper
Evie Glen, Metal magazine
YOUNG TRAVEL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Alice Barnes-Brown, Travel Weekly
Kira Richards, National Geographic(UK)/Sunday Times
Annaliese Smith, Independent/Wired For Adventure
YOUNG HEALTH JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Amy Borrett, Financial Times
Ella Kipling, Mirror/Wales Online
Eliza Slawther, Pink Sheet
YOUNG SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Jamie Barton, CNN Digital Sports, London
Aryan Jolly, The Real EFL/The Football Deck/Wisden
Joseph Ryan, Kent Standard/Football Writers’ Association
YOUNG SHOW BIZ JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Evie Glen, The List, online magazine
Ella Kipling, The Mirror
The nominations are listed alphabetically and the winner in each category will be announced at the Young Journalist Awards presentations, on Tuesday 17th March at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, Tower Hill, following the Society of Editors Annual Conference, beginning with a reception at 6.00pm.
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 Wednesday 18th February 2026
Many of today’s papers lead on the escalating fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case and renewed scrutiny of the Duke of York.
The i reports: “Third police force examines Andrew’s links to Epstein – as MPs threaten inquiry”, suggesting growing institutional pressure, including potential parliamentary involvement.
The Daily Mail similarly leads with: “Pressure piles on Andrew as FOURTH police force probes Epstein claims”, focusing on Essex Police examining whether trafficked women were flown into Stansted.
The Sun strikes a more dramatic tone with: “COPS IN ANDY SEX PROBE”, adding that “7 UK forces” are now involved and that “‘Lolita’ flight logs” are being checked.
The Daily Telegraph also carries the story prominently, reporting: “Andrew-linked Epstein flights on police radar”, while its main headline reads: “Reeves blocking defence cash boost”, highlighting concerns from military chiefs over a reported £28bn funding shortfall.
Economic policy and employment feature strongly elsewhere.
The Financial Times leads with: “Plug pulled on high-tech bid to ease trade flows at border”, reporting that a £110m post-Brexit project involving Deloitte and IBM has been shelved.
The Times says: “Labour may drop youth wage pledge to boost jobs”, noting that one in six 18- to 24-year-olds are out of work and ministers are reconsidering policy amid business concerns.
The Daily Express focuses on taxation and unemployment, declaring: “‘MILLIONS ARE CRYING OUT FOR REWARD OF HARD WORK’”, alongside the claim that Labour’s job taxes have been branded a “silent killer of aspiration” as unemployment reaches 5.2%.
Politics dominates the Daily Mirror, which leads with: “REFORM JOKERS ARE DANGEROUS” and the bold headline “NO LAUGHING MATTER”, criticising Nigel Farage’s newly unveiled team and warning of the implications for workers’ rights and the NHS.
The Independent takes a different line, leading with: “Secret files show plan to end prison scandal will fail”, reporting that internal figures suggest efforts to resolve the indefinite public protection sentence issue are falling short.
Several papers also mark the death of the US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
The Guardian carries the headline: “‘We stood on his shoulders’ – Jesse Jackson dies at 84”, reflecting on his legacy within the civil rights movement.
The Times and others also feature tributes, describing “The Rev Jesse Jackson 1941–2026”, while the Financial Times highlights his role as a “Rights leader who saw US go from King’s killing to Obama presidency.”
The Star stands apart with the headline: ‘Ramsay: Tough childhood made me better dad.’ The opening paragraph explained: ‘Fiery chef Gordon Ramsay says his horror upbringing with a violent, alcoholic father has made him a better dad but he feels guilty about his wayward brother.’
In summary, today’s front pages are dominated by two major themes: intensifying scrutiny of Prince Andrew over the Epstein affair, and mounting debate over economic management — from defence spending and youth employment to tax policy and post-Brexit trade systems — alongside tributes to a significant figure in American civil rights history.
Review of front pages of UK’s regional England, and nation Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland newspapers
Several papers lead on international security and events in Russia.
The Metro carries the headline: “Putin critic: I never touch a door handle”, following what it describes as an exposed “Navalny frog toxin killing”. The paper reports claims from a Kremlin critic who says he believes he is on a death list and now avoids even everyday contact with surfaces for fear of poisoning.
In Scotland, health and public services dominate.
The Scotsman leads with: “A&E system ‘in perpetual crisis’ as target missed again”. The paper says the Scottish Government is facing renewed criticism over waiting times, with opposition parties branding performance “unacceptable”.
Similarly, The Herald reports: “Warning of rising pressure on GPs”, saying calls for reform have gone “unheard” as family doctors warn of increasing strain on primary care services.
The Daily Record takes a very different tone, leading with: “MONSTER”, under the banner “Abuse survivor’s bombshell claim”. It features allegations made by the sister of a teenager who vanished 50 years ago, claiming her stepfather burned the body in an incinerator. The paper says the claims are detailed in a full inside report.
In Northern Ireland, two front pages focus on separate major stories.
The Irish News leads with: “Officer claims crowd ‘got quite hostile’ during search for Noah”, reporting on testimony given during an inquest into the death of Noah Donohoe.
Meanwhile, the Belfast Telegraph carries the headline: “Pupils’ miracle escape after bus crash horror”. It reports that around 40 children walked away unhurt after a bus left the road, describing it as a “miracle” that there were no fatalities.
In Wales, transport investment is prominent.
The Western Mail headline reads: “Billions pledged for rail projects in Wales”. The paper says funding has been committed for new stations and upgrades, describing it as a major boost for infrastructure.
The South Wales Echo echoes that theme with a bold “ALL ABOARD!”, reporting a £14 billion boost for Welsh rail projects, including new stations in Cardiff and across South Wales.
In England’s regions, local economic and community concerns feature heavily.
The Yorkshire Post leads with: “‘Treasury holds back growth in the region’”. It reports that a think tank is calling for greater local control over transport spending, arguing that devolution could unlock economic growth.
The Manchester Evening News carries: “Yob ‘terror’ on estate”, reporting that buses have been diverted after missiles were thrown by youths, with residents describing feeling unsafe.
Taken together, today’s front pages reflect a wide range of concerns: from international security fears and pressures on health services, to long-running inquests, criminal allegations, infrastructure investment, and local community safety.
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 Wednesday 18th February 2026
French Newspapers for Wednesday 18th February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Wednesday 18th 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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