Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Tuesday 24th 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 Tuesday 24th February 2026: “‘Mandelson arrested’ and ‘Four years of tears’ in Ukraine.” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2026191737320845663
To:
Sky News discussing front pages of UK national newspapers for Tuesday 24th February 2026. ‘The Wrap’ with Daily Mirror columnist Kevin Maguire and political commentator Benedict Spence. Mirror: ‘Disgraced Lord. Mandleson Is Arrested.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2026195075651223692
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
New guidance has been issued to all police forces in England and Wales promoting the accurate and timely release of information to accredited media outlets. See: https://www.linkedin.com/…/urn:li:activity…
To:
The BBC issued an apology on Sunday after a racial slur was shouted by an audience member with Tourette syndrome during a broadcast of the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs). 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 JOURNALIST 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 Tuesday 24th February 2026
Good morning. Here is a look at how today’s national newspapers lead their front pages, in a round-up of eleven titles.
Many of the papers focus on the arrest of former Labour minister Lord Mandelson in connection with allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Daily Telegraph leads with the stark headline: “Mandelson arrested”, describing the development as a “defining moment” for the Prime Minister.
Similarly, The Times reports: “Mandelson arrested over ‘secrets passed to Epstein’”, saying the former ambassador to the United States was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The Guardian headline reads: “Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct over Epstein links”, and highlights that police are investigating claims that sensitive information may have been leaked.
The Financial Times also carries the story prominently under the headline: “Epstein fallout: Former British envoy arrested”, framing the arrest within its wider political and diplomatic implications.
The i leads with: “Mandelson arrest sparks jeopardy for Number 10”, suggesting the development raises fresh political pressure for the government.
Among the tabloids, the tone is more dramatic.
The Daily Mirror declares: “MANDELSON IS ARRESTED”, alongside the line: “Disgraced Lord held”.
The Daily Mail headline reads: “NOW MANDELSON FACES THE MUSIC”, describing him as the “ashen-faced architect of New Labour” being led away by police.
The Sun opts for wordplay with: “THINGS CAN ONLY GET SWEATIER”, accompanied by the strapline “After Andy… Now Mandy is arrested”.
The Star provides a picture of a baby boy on the front page with the headline strory: “Meet Hugo..The UK’s 1st dead womb donor baby– Our little miracle.. Mum Grace: She’ll live through him.”
The Daily Express splits its front page between two stories. Alongside “Police arrest Mandelson in Epstein files probe”, it leads with a separate headline: “PLOT TO BRING JIHADI BRIDE SHAMIMA BACK TO UK”, reporting claims about efforts to assist Shamima Begum’s return.
Elsewhere, the war in Ukraine marks a significant anniversary.
The Independent front page focuses on the conflict with: “Four years on, the true cost of Putin’s invasion”, presenting a series of statistics on casualties, displacement and economic impact.
The Financial Times also carries a major international story with the headline: “Zelensky says Ukraine and Russia at ‘beginning of the end’ of conflict”, reporting comments from the Ukrainian president about the state of the war.
Taken together, today’s front pages are dominated by domestic political fallout from Lord Mandelson’s arrest, with several papers exploring its implications for the government, while others highlight ongoing global developments, including the war in Ukraine.
That’s a snapshot of the morning papers.
Review of front pages of UK’s regional England, and nation Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland newspapers
Here is a further impartial review of ten front pages from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, reflecting the breadth of today’s regional coverage.
Several titles lead on the arrest of former Labour minister Peter Mandelson.
In Scotland, The Scotsman reports: “Starmer crisis deepening as Mandelson arrested by Met”, describing the development as a significant political moment for the Prime Minister.
The Daily Record similarly carries: “Mandelson is arrested in Epstein files probe”, while also giving prominent space to a separate story headlined “COP GRASS BILL SOARS AS GANG WAR RAGES”, focusing on policing costs amid organised crime tensions.
In England, The Yorkshire Post leads with: “Met Police arrest Lord Mandelson”, saying the misconduct probe centres on claims that commercially sensitive information was passed to Jeffrey Epstein.
London’s Metro front page states: “Police come for Mandelson”, calling him an “ex-Labour grandee” arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Elsewhere, other regional titles prioritise different stories.
In Northern Ireland, The Irish News leads with the court case headline: “Accused’s ‘live stream’ a ‘false alibi’ for a ‘calculated murder’”, reporting on claims made during a Belfast trial.
The Belfast Telegraph focuses on the same case with: “Natalie murder accused staged 999 call, trial told”, detailing prosecution allegations in the Lurgan murder trial.
In Wales, the Western Mail splashes with: “Wales will join bid for 2040 Olympics”, reporting plans for a joint bid with the north of England.
The South Wales Echo echoes that ambition with its bold headline: “WALES TO JOIN BID FOR 2040 OLYMPICS”, highlighting Cardiff as a potential host city.
In north-west England, the Manchester Evening News turns to entertainment and the local economy, leading with: “BRIT OF A DO!”, previewing a week of major music awards events in the city.
Meanwhile in Glasgow, The Herald leads on healthcare and legal action with: “Mother launches legal claim after daughter’s brain injury”, reporting allegations that health board staff failed to act before a baby later died. The paper also references the Mandelson arrest inside.
Across the regions, today’s front pages reflect a mix of national political developments, serious criminal proceedings, public spending debates, health concerns and civic ambition — offering a snapshot of the varied issues shaping the conversation across the UK this morning.
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 Tuesday 24th February 2026
French Newspapers for Tuesday 24th February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Tuesday 24th 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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