In the midst of the storm, Leeds Trinity University has ranked number 1 for journalism in The Guardian Good University Guide 2026, for the second consecutive year. I put this down to my incredible, talented, caring colleagues and their high-quality teaching, our fantastic facilities, industry partnerships, and a fearless ambition for our students to succeed.
There is no doubt that journalism is under threat from all angles – ironically, at a time when journalism is more important than ever. With the current churn of global disputes and a deeply divisive and daunting public view on British politics, I seem to update my material for public affairs lectures more often than I eat.
I’ve always thrived on a challenge, which is just as well… Universities across the UK are under growing strain; government funding has been tightened, and the Secretary of State for Education has directed the Office for Students to withdraw Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses for the 2025-26 financial year.
The Broadcast Journalism Training Council is one of four journalism education bodies to voice concern around this, calling on the government to reverse planned cuts.
If that wasn’t enough, tuition fee levels have not kept pace with costs, and consequently, there are mass redundancies sweeping across the industry. The journalism sector itself is experiencing profound structural challenges too.
Traditional advertising revenue models have collapsed, and digital platforms dominate content distribution, while contributing little financially to the journalism they rely on. Local newsrooms are vanishing, with “news deserts” expanding across the UK – leaving communities without dedicated reporters to hold local power to account.
Public trust in media is also fluctuating, as targeted, disruptive misinformation spreads rapidly online. Journalists face increasing threats to their safety and freedom – both digitally and in real life, which makes entering the profession even more daunting for the next generation.
Training the journalists of tomorrow has never been more vital – or more difficult – given these intersecting pressures. Yet it is precisely this adversity that reinforces the critical role of journalism in a democratic society and the importance of institutions like ours that equip students to meet those challenges head-on.
Against all odds, we are back with a bang, and there’s a lively buzz around campus as we begin a new academic year, with a lot to look forward to. We will keep calm and carry on, uniting as much as possible and pulling together; collaboration will play a critical role in maintaining success more now than ever.
Should one of our trainees happen to ask for work experience, remember, we all started somewhere… And the power of journalism will prevail.
- If you’re reading this and feel moved to write to your MP about funding for journalism courses, please do. After all, there’s strength in numbers. You’ll find a template letter on the NUJ website to help get you started.