Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Saturday 21st 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 Saturday 21st February 2026: “‘Throne Out’ and ‘Liberation Day levies ruled illegal.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2025119546927939965
To:
Sky News ‘The Wrap’ presented by Gillian Joseph discussing Saturday’s newspaper front pages 21st February 2026. With Guardian columnist Zoe Williams and writer and broadcaster Esther Krakue. Mirror: ‘Epstein Scandal- Throne Out.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2025121907477983467
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
Cambodian journalists Phorn Sopheap of Battambang Post TV Online and Pheap Pheara of TSP 68 TV are appealing their separate convictions on treason charges. See: https://www.linkedin.com/…/urn:li:activity…
To:
Cabinet Office Minister who claimed to be “surprised” and “furious” at PR agency ACPO’s work to investigate journalists was personally involved in naming them to British intelligence officials, the Guardian has reported. 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 Saturday 21st February 2026
It is a story dominating almost every front page this morning: the deepening crisis surrounding the Duke of York and growing political pressure over his position in the line of succession.
The Guardian leads with: “Police expand their inquiry into Andrew.”
The paper reports that the government is considering removing the former prince from the line of succession, while the Metropolitan Police coordinate with other forces examining matters linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The Guardian also highlights a separate international story: “Supreme court rules Trump’s tariffs illegal.”
A similar theme appears on The Times, which says: “Andrew set to be taken off line of succession.”
The paper reports that the Palace would support legislation proposed by Sir Keir Starmer, should it be brought forward, and notes continuing searches and police inquiries.
The Daily Telegraph takes a firmer tone with: “Andrew faces axe from royal succession.”
It says Downing Street will consider a “historic move” once the police investigation concludes, and carries reporting on political calls for answers over the former prince’s trade envoy role.
The Daily Express splashes with a bold headline: “82% SAY DITCH ANDREW FROM LINE TO THRONE.”
It cites polling suggesting strong public backing for removing him from the order of succession, framing the debate as both constitutional and public.
The i weekend focuses on the wider institutional impact with: “Royal Family fears new investigations and fallout.”
It reports that multiple police forces are reviewing material linked to Epstein and that former protection officers are being contacted.
The Independent writes: “Palace braces for results of raids on Andrew’s homes.”
It describes what it calls the monarchy’s greatest crisis in decades and says police are considering evidence gathered from searches.
The Daily Mail declares: “POLICE TELL ANDREW’S BODYGUARDS: REVEAL WHAT YOU KNOW.”
It reports that former close protection officers are being asked to provide information relevant to the inquiry, under the banner headline “THE CROWN IN CRISIS.”
The Daily Mirror goes further still with: “THRONE OUT.”
Under the heading “EPSTEIN SCANDAL,” it says Andrew is facing removal from the line of succession and highlights new questioning of associates.
The Sun also leads on the same theme: “ANDREW’S OUT OF LINE.”
It reports that Number 10 is set to block his path to the throne and says the King would not object to legislative change.
The Star continues the long established tradition of the British tabloit punning headline infused with irreverence: ‘No pants at Norfolk police custody suite- You’re undie arrest. The star takes you inside a cell at Cop Shop.’
Away from the royal story, the Financial Times Weekend leads on global trade tensions: “Trump pledges fresh tariffs after ‘liberation day’ levies ruled illegal.”
It describes the US president’s response to a Supreme Court ruling and warns of renewed tariff measures. The FT also carries an investigation headlined: “Email blunder exposes smuggling ring behind $90bn Russian crude exports.”
The weekly Economist‘s digital front page image is a striking picture of a leather wallet stuffed with bank notes and punctured by eight arrows (two missed) with the headline ‘The Robin Hood State.’
There are lighter elements across several front pages. The Guardian features a Baftas preview: “And the award for best actress goes to … Jessie Buckley?”
The Times magazine section leads with “She’s got cojones!” profiling Miriam González Durántez. And the Telegraph carries a weekend feature headline: “Prue Leith I’m living my best life after Bake Off.”
But the overwhelming theme this morning is constitutional: police investigations, political calculations and mounting public pressure over the future role of the Duke of York — a story that continues to dominate the national press.
Review of front pages of UK’s regional England, and nation Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland newspapers
Across much of the UK’s regional press, criminal justice and public safety dominate the agenda.
In Wales, the Western Mail leads with the stark headline “Father murdered by boys in racist attack”, reporting that two teenagers have been convicted following the fatal stabbing of a 38-year-old man in Barry. The paper says one defendant, aged 16, cannot be named for legal reasons.
Also in South Wales, the South Wales Echo focuses on domestic violence, with the headline “HUSBAND JAILED FOR STABBING HIS WIFE TO DEATH”, adding that the “killer bought kitchen knives day before murder”.
In Northern Ireland, the Belfast Telegraph carries a security-related story under the headline “UVF and the UDA ‘not going away any time soon’”. The paper reports comments suggesting loyalist paramilitary groups are unlikely to disappear in the near future, despite expectations of transformation into peaceful organisations.
The Irish News weekend edition highlights pressures on the healthcare system with “The ‘postcode lottery’ of our home care packages”, reporting that thousands remain in hospital amid what it describes as major regional imbalances in provision.
In England’s north-west, the Manchester Evening News leads on a major court case with “Husband and 12 others are charged after wife ‘drugged and raped’”, saying the alleged offences took place over a number of years.
Yorkshire’s regional daily, the Yorkshire Post, focuses on a long-running NHS controversy. Its front page reads “Ockenden ‘available’ for inquiry”, referring to the maternity services review, while also reporting “Region’s mass transport chief quits”, signalling upheaval in local infrastructure leadership.
Turning to Scotland, The Scotsman reports on renewable energy scrutiny with “Watchdog to investigate SNP’s flagship wind projects”, describing claims that offshore revenues may have been “frittered away”.
The Herald leads with a financial governance story: “£843,000: The cost of scrapped digital ID scheme”, calling the project the “most expensive imaginary card in history” and examining public spending concerns.
Meanwhile, The National, which supports Scottish independence, splashes with “POLANSKI’S MPs ‘COULD BE KEY IN HELPING TO SECURE AN INDYREF’”, alongside an “Exclusive poll” suggesting Scots would vote Yes to independence.
And the Daily Record returns to the ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, headlining “END OF THE LINE” and describing it as the “Ex-Prince’s latest humiliation”, as investigations continue into his links with Jeffrey Epstein and potential changes to the line of succession.
Taken together, today’s front pages reflect a strong focus on violent crime and court proceedings in Wales and England, political scrutiny and governance in Scotland, healthcare pressures in Northern Ireland, and continuing constitutional debate both north and south of the border.
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 Saturday 21st February 2026
French Newspapers for Saturday 21st February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Saturday 21st 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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