Review of UK and world papers and coverage of UK and global journalism stories and Journalism History for Saturday 28th 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 28th February 2026. [Before military action by US & Israel on Iran] “‘Starmer on ropes’ and ‘nightmare for Labour.'” See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2027671792991543694
To:
Sky News The Wrap discussing front pages of UK papers Saturday 28th February 2026. With journalist Susie Boniface and political commentator Benedict Spence. [Before US & Israel military action against Iran] FT: ‘Starmer rocked by Greens’ victory.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2027673441550123059
Press Gazette reports: ‘Who’s suing AI and who’s signing: Danish publishers take OpenAI to court. Plus: New York Times and Chicago Tribune sue Perplexity.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2027680824489886139
Press Gazette reports: ‘Staff journalists sacked and misleadingly replaced with AI writers. Everything about writers Brian Merrygold and Callum Mercer is fake.’ See: https://x.com/CIoJournalist/status/2027681471956177141
CIoJ LinkedIn news edited by Liz Justice:
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 Saturday 28th February 2026
Good morning. Here is a look at how eleven of today’s UK national newspapers are leading their front pages.
The dominant story across much of the press is Labour’s by-election defeat in Gorton and Denton to the Green Party, with several titles questioning Sir Keir Starmer’s authority.
The Times leads with: “Starmer on ropes after by-election humiliation”, reporting that the Prime Minister is being urged to shift direction after what it describes as a crushing loss.
The Guardian strikes a similar note with: “Green delight sparks nightmare for Labour”, calling the result historic and suggesting it has triggered a period of renewed internal debate within the party.
The Financial Times Weekend says: “Starmer rocked by Greens’ victory”, describing it as a significant blow and reporting that some MPs are urging a change of tack.
The Independent goes further with: “Labour swept away by Green tidal wave (Can PM survive it?)”, framing the result as a potential turning point for the Prime Minister’s leadership.
The i Weekend also highlights internal pressure, leading with: “Rayner leads new threat to Starmer from Labour left – as MPs warn PM ‘it’s terminal’”, pointing to mounting unease among some backbenchers.
Several of the traditionally Conservative-leaning titles focus on allegations surrounding the vote.
The Daily Mail carries the headline: “Police urged to probe ‘family voting fraud’ in sectarian by-election”, reporting calls for an investigation and describing what it terms a “rise of the Green menace”.
Similarly, the Daily Express leads with: “HOW DARE YOU!”, after a statue of Winston Churchill was vandalised, describing the suspect as a “vile vandal” and focusing on law-and-order concerns.
The Daily Mirror, while also covering Labour’s setback, presents it as a moment of reflection with: “WAKE-UP CALL”, reporting that the Prime Minister has vowed to continue fighting on after what it calls a “disappointing” loss.
The Sun leads on a separate criminal justice story with: “HUNTLEY MUM: He’s battered beyond recognition”, reporting on an alleged attack in prison involving the Soham murderer Ian Huntley.
The Star‘s front page is full of punning wit and mockery for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the Greens’ by-election victory: “Hannah terminates Keir- Plaster la vista Starmer– Labour throws in trowel as Greens win.’
International tensions also feature prominently on the UK’s nationa fornt pages.
The Daily Telegraph reports: “Mahmood: Migrant curbs must go ahead”, alongside a separate headline: “Britain closes Iran embassy as Trump warns: I may use force”, reflecting concern about escalating tensions in the Middle East.
That theme is echoed in the Financial Times, which reports: “Diplomats told to leave Middle East on fears of imminent US strike on Tehran”, and in The Independent, which also notes Britain withdrawing embassy staff from Iran amid security concerns.
So, the front pages this Saturday are dominated by Labour’s by-election defeat and questions over Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, alongside allegations about voting practices, law-and-order stories, and growing international tensions involving Iran and the United States.
That’s a summary of today’s national newspaper front pages.
Review of front pages of UK’s regional England, and nation Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland newspapers
Good morning. Here is a look at how ten regional front pages across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are leading on Saturday, 28 February.
In Scotland, politics once again dominates.
The Scotsman reports: “Scots Labour woes deepen with slide to fourth in poll”, suggesting the party could fall behind the Greens as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Holyrood elections.
Meanwhile, The National strikes a very different tone, leading with: “SCOTTISH GREENS HAIL ‘HISTORIC’ BY-ELECTION WIN”. It describes the result as a “massive political shift”, with analysis suggesting the next General Election could be a “game-changer” for independence.
Also in Scotland, The Herald focuses on higher education, with the headline: “University chief wants rethink on tuition fees”. The paper reports calls for a “national conversation” on university funding amid mounting financial pressures.
The Daily Record leads with a health and care investigation under the banner: “PENSIONER PAINKILLERS SCANDAL”, and the stark claim: “Hospital doped up my dad and left him like a… ZOMBIE”. The story centres on allegations that elderly patients were given non-prescribed medication.
Turning to England, the Manchester Evening News gives prominence to its local by-election coverage, quoting MP Hannah’s pledge: “I’ll work so hard to deliver for you”, in what it describes as a “By-Election Special”.
In Yorkshire, The Yorkshire Post leads with infrastructure and regional growth, reporting: “Airport opening ‘going to happen’ vows city council”. The paper says a long-running £160 million lease deal is entering its final stages.
In Wales, political debate and rugby governance feature strongly.
The Western Mail carries the headline: “Plaid leader reveals plans for government”, outlining proposals for the party’s first 100 days in office. Above that, it also highlights concerns raised by the WRU chief, who says: “I DON’T FEEL SAFE” amid threats received during a bitter row over rugby’s future.
The South Wales Echo focuses on football finances with: “BLUEBIRDS’ FINANCES SHOW £39M SPENT ON WAGES”, reporting that Cardiff City’s accounts reveal players’ average weekly pay at £17,480.
In Northern Ireland, criminal justice and legacy issues lead the agenda.
The Belfast Telegraph reports: “Notorious UVF mural to be taken down in east Belfast”, describing plans to replace it as part of a loyalist transitioning project. Alongside that, it carries the headline: “I killed her, admits man accused of Chloe murder”.
And The Irish News leads with: “Mitchell accused to admit to killing, court hears”, reporting on proceedings in a murder case. The paper also gives space to a political interview carrying the striking quote: “There is going to be a united Ireland”.
So, across the regions this Saturday, the front pages reflect a mix of political fallout from recent votes, debates over independence and governance, pressures in higher education and healthcare, and significant criminal cases — alongside the continuing prominence of sport and local economic development.
That’s a snapshot of today’s regional newspaper front pages.
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 28th February 2026
French Newspapers for Saturday 28th February 2026
Montage of world newspapers Saturday 28th 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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