Frequently Asked Questions

UK JornoHub is a free resource hub built specifically for journalists working in the United Kingdom. We provide ethics guides, freelance rate tools, FOI templates, legal explainers, and curated links — all in one place so you can spend less time searching and more time reporting.

Yes, every resource on UK JornoHub is completely free with no paywall, registration wall, or hidden charges. Our goal is to support working journalists and students alike. We believe access to professional resources should never be a barrier to good journalism.

The site is maintained by a small team of working and former UK journalists with experience across national, regional, and digital newsrooms. All content is researched against primary sources including legislation, regulatory codes, and NUJ guidance.

We review and update content regularly, particularly when laws change, new IPSO rulings are issued, or NUJ rate guidance is revised. Each resource page shows when it was last updated so you can check its currency.

Absolutely. We welcome suggestions from the journalism community. Use our contact form to propose new topics, flag outdated information, or recommend resources we should include.

The NUJ Code of Conduct is the ethical framework published by the National Union of Journalists. It covers accuracy, fairness, source protection, and the public interest. You can read the full text with our plain-English annotations on our ethics page.

The IPSO Editors' Code of Practice is the ethical rulebook enforced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. It covers accuracy, privacy, harassment, children, and more. Our ethics page breaks down each clause with practical examples.

IPSO is the larger, industry-funded regulator covering most major UK newspapers and magazines. IMPRESS is the only regulator recognised under the Royal Charter on press self-regulation and covers a smaller group of publishers. Both handle complaints, but their structures, funding, and recognition status differ significantly.

You can file a complaint directly on the IPSO website. Complaints must relate to a specific clause of the Editors' Code and should be made within four months of publication. Our ethics page explains each clause to help you identify which one applies.

Rates vary widely by publication, word count, and specialism. NUJ guidance suggests minimum rates, but national outlets typically pay more than regionals. Use our freelance rate calculator to estimate fair pricing based on assignment type, outlet, and experience level.

Yes. If you earn money from freelance journalism in the UK, you must register as self-employed with HMRC within three months of starting. You'll need to file a Self Assessment tax return each year and pay National Insurance contributions. Our resources page links to the relevant HMRC guidance.

At minimum, consider professional indemnity insurance to cover libel and legal claims, and public liability insurance if you attend events or visit premises. NUJ membership includes some legal support. Several specialist insurers offer packages tailored to UK freelance journalists.

Our rate calculator uses data from NUJ rate guidance, industry surveys, and freelancer feedback to estimate a fair fee range. Select the type of work, outlet category, and your experience level to get a suggested range. It is a guide, not a fixed rate — always negotiate based on the value you bring to the assignment.

Yes, all our templates — including FOI request letters, pitch emails, and invoice formats — are free to download and adapt. They are provided as starting points; you should always tailor them to your specific needs and check they reflect current legal requirements.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request lets you ask any UK public body for recorded information they hold. Requests must be made in writing, and the authority has 20 working days to respond. Our resources page includes ready-to-use FOI templates and a step-by-step guide.

Journalism can take a serious toll on mental health, especially when covering trauma. We link to specialist support services including the Journalists' Charity, Mind, and the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma on our resources page.

Contempt of court occurs when a publication creates a substantial risk of seriously prejudicing active legal proceedings. Under the Contempt of Court Act 1981, proceedings become "active" from arrest or the issue of a warrant. Our contempt of court guide explains the strict liability rule and how to report safely.

SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) are legal actions — typically defamation or privacy claims — brought primarily to intimidate journalists and suppress reporting in the public interest. The UK government has proposed anti-SLAPP legislation, and the NUJ actively campaigns against their use.

Yes, but with important exemptions. The UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 include a "journalism exemption" (Section 174) that disapplies certain provisions when processing is for journalistic purposes and publication is in the public interest. However, this does not give journalists a blanket exemption — data must still be handled responsibly.

We welcome contributions from working journalists, academics, and media law experts. Whether you want to write a guest blog post, suggest a resource, or flag an error, please get in touch via our contact page. All contributions are reviewed and credited.