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UK Journalist Tools & Calculators

51 free, client-side tools for UK journalists across FOI workflow, editorial and legal checks, freelance business, and source safety. No signup, no AI cost, no data sent anywhere.

FOI Workflow5 Editorial & Legal17 Freelance Business15 Safety & Verification9

Last reviewed: 15 April 2026Next review due: 15 October 2026

FOI Workflow

5 tools

Calculate FOI deadlines, draft requests for any UK authority type, appeal refusals using the right exemption, escalate to the ICO, and pick between FOIA and the Environmental Information Regulations.

FOI Deadline Calculator

Calculate your 20-working-day deadline under section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Enter the date you sent the request and this tool returns the statutory deadline, a 15-day reminder, and a chase date — plus a ready-to-send follow-up email.

The clock starts the day after the authority receives your request (or the day you send it if sent electronically and received during business hours).

Request sent date

Statutory Deadline (20 working days)

Friday, 11 September 2026

15-day reminder (5 days before deadline)

Friday, 4 September 2026

Chase the authority if you haven't heard anything.

21st working-day chase (1 day after deadline)

Monday, 14 September 2026

Deadline has passed — send follow-up email below.

Follow-up email (deadline passed)

Subject: FOI Request – Deadline Passed – Immediate Response Required

Dear FOI Officer,

I am writing to follow up on my Freedom of Information request submitted on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

Under section 10 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, public authorities are required to respond to requests promptly and no later than 20 working days after the date of receipt. That deadline fell on Friday, 11 September 2026, which has now passed.

I would be grateful if you could either:

1. Provide the information requested immediately, or
2. Confirm a specific date by which you expect to respond.

If you have applied an exemption or are seeking an extension under section 10(3), please set out your reasons in writing as required by the Act.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response within a further 10 working days, I intend to request an internal review and, if necessary, to refer the matter to the Information Commissioner's Office under section 50 of FOIA.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
[Your Email]

Bank holidays: This calculator skips weekends only. Bank holidays may extend the deadline by 1 day each — verify against gov.uk/bank-holidays if your request crosses Easter, Christmas, or other public holidays.

FOI Request Builder

Generate a formal Freedom of Information Act 2000 request letter, tailored to the type of public authority. Fill in the details and copy or print the ready-to-send letter.

Authority name

Authority type

Subject / topic

Date range from (optional)

Date range to (optional)

Specific records / data requested (one item per line)

Preferred format

Generated FOI request letter

16 August 2026

[Authority Name]

Dear FOI Officer,

Freedom of Information Request

I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

I am requesting information relating to: [subject/topic].

Specifically, I request the following records and/or data:

• [Describe the specific records, datasets, or documents you are requesting]

Please provide the information in the format in which it is held.

Please confirm receipt and respond within 20 working days as required by section 10 of FOIA. If any information is withheld, please specify the exemption relied upon and, where applicable, provide a public interest test assessment. If you require clarification, please contact me at the email address below.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Publication / Organisation, if applicable]

Tip: WhatDoTheyKnow.com publishes requests and responses — great for researching how similar requests were handled and following up on published data.

FOI Appeal Builder

Generate an internal review request after a Freedom of Information refusal. An internal review is required before you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Fill in the details and copy or print the letter.

Authority name

Original request date

Refusal date

Exemption section cited by authority

Authority claims the request would cost over £600 (central government) or £450 (other public bodies) to process. Check if the request can be narrowed to bring it within the cost limit.

Why you dispute the refusal

Generated internal review letter

16 August 2026

[Authority Name]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Request for Internal Review – Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to request an internal review of your decision to refuse my Freedom of Information request, submitted on [date] and refused by letter dated [date].

EXEMPTION CITED

Your refusal cited the exemption at s.12 – Cost limit of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

GROUNDS FOR REVIEW

I dispute the application of this exemption for the following reasons:

[Set out your reasons for disputing the refusal — e.g. the public interest in disclosure outweighs any prejudice; the information is not genuinely exempt; the cost estimate is inflated; or the exemption has been misapplied]

I therefore request that [Authority Name] conduct a formal internal review of this decision. I ask that you consider:

1. Whether the exemption has been correctly identified and applied;
2. Whether the public interest test (where applicable) has been conducted properly and in good faith;
3. Whether partial disclosure or anonymisation would allow some information to be released.

TIMESCALE

I note that the ICO expects public authorities to complete internal reviews within 20 working days (40 in exceptional cases). Please confirm receipt of this review request and provide a response accordingly.

If your review upholds the original refusal, please set out your full reasoning in writing so that I may consider whether to refer this matter to the Information Commissioner under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Publication / Organisation, if applicable]

Next step:If the internal review upholds the refusal, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office under section 50 of FOIA. Use the ICO Complaint Builder tool to draft your complaint.

ICO Complaint Builder

Generate a formal complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) after an internal review fails to resolve your FOI dispute. You must complete an internal review before the ICO will investigate. Fill in the details, tick the documents you are enclosing, then copy or print.

Evidence checklist — tick documents you have ready to enclose

Authority name

Original FOI request date

Internal review request date

Internal review outcome date

Summary of the internal review decision

Why you still dispute the decision

Generated ICO complaint letter

16 August 2026

The Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Dear Sir/Madam,

Complaint under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to make a formal complaint to the Information Commissioner about the handling of my Freedom of Information request by [Authority Name].

BACKGROUND

I submitted a Freedom of Information request to [Authority Name] on [date].

The authority refused my request. I submitted a request for internal review on [date].

The authority completed its internal review on [date]. The outcome of that review was:

[Summarise the internal review decision — e.g. the authority upheld the original refusal, citing [exemption]]

GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT

I continue to dispute this decision for the following reasons:

[Explain why you believe the authority has acted unlawfully or unreasonably — e.g. the exemption does not apply; the public interest test was not properly carried out; the authority failed to respond within 20 working days]

I respectfully ask the ICO to investigate this matter and to issue a Decision Notice under section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED

• [List documents you are enclosing]

Please note that this complaint can also be submitted electronically via ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]

Online submission: You can submit this complaint directly at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint — the ICO typically issues a Decision Notice within 6–12 months. The ICO has the power to order disclosure and can name the authority publicly in its Decision Notice.

Recent ICO decision notices (FOIA)

as of 2026-08-13

How the Information Commissioner has recently ruled on Freedom of Information Act complaints — the public authority, the FOIA section(s) engaged, and whether the complaint was upheld. A useful gauge of what the ICO expects and where authorities most often fall short (section 10, the 20‑working‑day deadline, recurs often).

Chief Constable Kent PoliceFOI 30(1): Not upheld
The complainant made two requests for information relating to a police investigation concerning a fatal fire at a specified address. The Commissioner’s decision is that Kent Police was entitled to rely on section 30(1)(a) of FOIA to withhold the requested information.
Police and criminal justice · 7 August 2026 · IC-402582-N0Z9
Ministry of Justice (MoJ)FOI 10: Upheld
A public authority will breach section 10 of FOIA if it fails to respond to a request within 20 working days. Based on evidence available to the Commissioner, by the date of this notice the public authority has not issued a substantive response to this request.
Central government · 7 August 2026 · IC-533364-V7C0
The National ArchivesFOI 10: Upheld, FOI 41: Not upheld
The complainant has requested a copy of their late father’s service records. The National Archives (TNA) disclosed some of the records but relied on section 41 of FOIA (information provided in confidence) to redact medical information.
Central government · 7 August 2026 · IC-426830-T2W9
Kent County CouncilFOI 10: Upheld
The complainant requested information from Kent County Council about Supported Living Schemes. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of FOIA.
Local government · 7 August 2026 · IC-533696-N5Q4
London Borough of SouthwarkFOI 10: Upheld
The complainant requested information from London Borough of Southwark relating to traffic conventions. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of FOIA.
Local government · 7 August 2026 · IC-530563-J7T6
Westminster City CouncilFOI 1: Upheld, FOI 40(2): Not upheld, FOI 41: Not upheld
The complainant requested information about a named individual, including correspondence, notes, recordings and CCTV footage. Westminster City Council withheld some information under sections 40(2) and 41 of FOIA and said that some information was not held.
Local government · 7 August 2026 · IC-474818-C4H6
The University of ManchesterFOI 10: Upheld
 The complainant requested information from the University of Manchester relating to membership of an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Energy Studies. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached sec
Education · 7 August 2026 · IC-533872-V8D3
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory AgencyFOI 1: Not upheld, FOI 40: Not upheld
The complainant requested information relating to the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) stimulators. The MHRA confirmed information was held but determined it could not be provided as it was personal data under section 40(1) and 40(2) FOIA.
Health, Regulators · 6 August 2026 · IC-412648-Y4J6
South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral AuthorityFOI 10: Upheld
The complainant requested information from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority relating to the South Yorkshire People’s Network. The Commissioner’s decision is that the public authority failed to respond to the request within 20 working days and has therefore breached section 10 of FOIA.
South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority · 6 August 2026 · IC-530523-B4Y3
Ministry of Justice (MoJ)FOI 40: Not upheld
The complainant has requested information about the number of youths on remand. The Ministry of Justice (“MoJ”) relied on section 40(2) (personal information) of FOIA to withhold some of the requested information.
Central government · 6 August 2026 · IC-440533-J5M2
Maritime and Coastguard AgencyFOI 31(1)(a): Not upheld
The Commissioner does not require further steps, as a result of this decision notice. Back to top Print this page For the public Official information Nuisance calls For organisations UK GDPR guidance and resources Freedom of information EIR and access to information Direct marketing Advice and servi
Central government · 5 August 2026 · IC-418546-S2Z6
Chief Constable Commissioner for the Metropolis (Metropolitan Police Service)FOI 12: Not upheld, FOI 16: Not upheld
The complainant has requested information about offences mentioning “Grok” from the Metropolitan Police Service (the “MPS”). The MPS initially advised that the request was vexatious on the grounds of burden, citing section 14(1) (Vexatious requests) of FOIA.
Police and criminal justice · 5 August 2026 · IC-476050-B3T1

Source: ICO decision notices · retrieved 2026-08-13· a rolling sample of FOIA notices; read each in full for the Commissioner’s reasoning.

EIR vs FOI Selector

Should you make your request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) or the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)?

The EIR applies whenever information is ‘environmental’ in nature — and crucially, it covers private companies carrying out public functions related to the environment (e.g. water companies, energy utilities), which FOIA does not. Answer the questions below to find out which regime applies to your request.

Question 1 of 60%

Does the information relate to the state of the environment (air, water, soil, biodiversity, landscape, or protected sites)?

Find your patch

Enter any UK postcode to find the public bodies that cover it — the starting point for local reporting and FOI.

Editorial & Legal

15 tools

Pre-publication legal checks (defamation, contempt, reporting restrictions), public-interest documentation, right-of-reply emails, correction generators, AI disclosure recommendations, headline checker, word counter and byline generator. None of these are legal advice — see disclaimer.

Freelance Business

15 tools

Rate calculator, pitch generators (simple + advanced), printable invoices, late-payment escalation letters, kill-fee claims and letters, day-rate quotes, NUJ rate comparator, copyright licence fee estimator, byline generator, contact card maker, story budget tracker, expense deduction calculator and downloadable templates.

Freelance Rate Calculator

Estimate what to charge based on assignment type, publication tier and your experience level.

Assignment Type

Publication Tier

Experience Level

Select all three options above to see your estimated rate.

Pitch Email Generator

Fill in the details below to generate a professional pitch email you can copy and send.

Your Name

Editor's Name

Publication

Story Type

Headline / Angle

Key Detail / Story Summary

Word Count

Delivery Date

Your Credentials

Generated Pitch Email

Subject: Pitch: [Your headline / angle]

Dear [Editor's Name],

I'd like to pitch the following [story type] for [Publication Name].

HEADLINE / ANGLE:
[One-sentence summary of the story and why it matters now]

THE STORY:
[Explain what the story is about, why it matters to readers, and what new information or access you have]

FORMAT & LENGTH:
[e.g. 1,200-word feature]

DELIVERY:
I can deliver this piece by [date].

WHY ME:
[Your relevant experience, expertise, or access that makes you right for this story]

I'm happy to discuss the angle or adapt the approach. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

Advanced Pitch Generator

Build a structured, professional pitch email with all the detail commissioning editors expect.

Pitch Type

Publication Type

Publication Name

Editor Name

Story Headline (suggested ≤80 chars)

0/80 suggested

Story Angle / Hook (the why-this-now)

1-Line Elevator Pitch (≤200 chars)

0/200

Word Count Proposed

Delivery Timeline

Urgency

Exclusivity

Rights Offered

Your Name

Your Contact (email)

Sources Lined Up (one per line)

Your Credentials (relevant background)

Generated Subject Line

Generated Pitch Email

Subject: PITCH: [Headline] — [Angle]

Dear [Editor's Name],

I'd like to pitch a [pitch type] for [Publication].

THE STORY
[Headline] — [One-line elevator pitch]

WHY NOW
[Why this story matters right now]

WHAT I HAVE
- [Source 1]
- [Source 2]

PROPOSED
- Word count: [word count]
- Delivery: [timeline]
- Exclusivity: [exclusivity]
- Rights: [rights offered]

ABOUT ME
[Your relevant background and credentials]

I'd welcome a call or quick reply if you'd like to discuss.

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Email / Phone]

Tip: Keep your subject line under 60 characters so it displays fully on mobile. Editors receive dozens of pitches daily — lead with your strongest angle and be specific about what makes this story urgent and exclusive to their readers.

Invoice Generator

Fill in your details and line items, then print a professional A4 invoice or copy as plain text.

Your Details

Your Name / Business Name

Your Email

Your Address

Your Bank Details

VAT Number (optional)

Invoice Details

Invoice Number

Invoice Date

Payment Terms

Client Details

Client Name

Client Reference / PO Number (optional)

Client Address

Line Items

DescriptionQtyUnit Price (£)Total

£0.00

VAT applies (20%)

Expenses (£)

Subtotal£0.00Total Due£0.00

Payment due: 15 September 2026

VAT note:If you are VAT-registered, charge 20% standard rate unless the service is zero-rated or exempt. The threshold for compulsory VAT registration is £90,000 (2025/26 tax year). Check HMRC guidance if you are unsure.

Late Payment Calculator

Calculate statutory interest and compensation for overdue invoices under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Invoice Amount (£)

Days Overdue

Enter the invoice amount and number of days overdue to calculate interest.

Late Payment Letter Generator

Generate a professionally worded letter to chase overdue invoices — from polite reminder to final notice before legal action.

Tip: Use the Late Payment Calculator to compute exact statutory interest and compensation owed before sending a firm reminder or final notice.

Client Name

Invoice Number

Invoice Amount (£)

Original Due Date

Your Name

Escalation Level

Generated Letter

16 August 2026

Dear [Client name],

Re: Invoice [Invoice number]

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to check that you received invoice [Invoice number] for [amount], which was due for payment on [date].

If payment has already been processed, please do disregard this message — and thank you. If not, I would be very grateful if you could confirm when payment will be made.

Please find the invoice details below for your reference:

  Invoice number: [Invoice number]
  Invoice amount: [amount]
  Payment due date: [date]

If there is any query or discrepancy with the invoice, please do not hesitate to get in touch and I will be happy to assist.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
[Your name]

Disclaimer: These letter templates are for guidance only and do not constitute legal advice. For complex disputes or large sums, consider consulting a solicitor or contacting the NUJ Freelance Office. The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 applies to commercial transactions — check applicability if your client is an individual rather than a business.

Kill Fee Calculator

Calculate what you are owed when a commission is killed and generate a claim email to send to the commissioning editor.

NUJ guidance: If no kill-fee clause exists in your contract, 50% is the conventional minimum for work substantially completed. Industry practice varies — always confirm payment terms in writing before starting commissioned work.

Agreed Full Fee (£)

Contract Kill Fee Percentage

Expenses Already Incurred (£)

Hours Worked (optional)

Reason for Kill

Story Title

Commissioning Editor Name

Client / Publication Name

Your Name

Kill Fee Claim Email

Subject: Kill Fee Claim — [Story title]

Dear [Commissioning Editor],

I am writing to formally invoke the kill fee provision in relation to the above commission.

As you are aware, I was commissioned at an agreed fee of £0.00. I understand that this commission has been killed due to: Editor's decision.

KILL FEE CLAIM

  Agreed fee:         £0.00
  Kill fee (50%):     £0.00
  Expenses incurred:  £0.00
  TOTAL OWED:         £0.00

I have incurred expenses and committed significant time to this commission. I would be grateful if you could authorise a kill-fee invoice for £0.00 at your earliest convenience.

Please confirm by return email that this kill fee is approved so that I may raise a formal invoice. Payment should be made in accordance with our standard payment terms.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]

Kill Fee Letter Templater

Generate a professional kill-fee claim letter, with statutory interest referenced under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

Outlet Name

Commissioning Editor

Article Title / Topic

Commissioned Date

Kill Notification Date

Agreed Fee (£)

Kill Fee Percentage

Your Name

Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998: as a business creditor, you may be entitled to statutory interest (Bank of England base rate + 8%, illustrative) plus fixed compensation once a commercial debt is overdue. This is included in the letter as a reminder, not a demand — most kill-fee disputes resolve without needing to invoke it.

Generated Letter

[Your Name]
16 August 2026

[Commissioning Editor]
[Outlet Name]

Dear Sir/Madam,

RE: KILL FEE CLAIM — [Article Title/Topic]

I am writing to formally claim payment of a kill fee in relation to the above commission.

On [date], I was commissioned by [Outlet Name] to write "[Article Title/Topic]" at an agreed fee of £0.00.

On [date], I was notified that this commission would not be proceeding to publication.

In the absence of a written agreement stating otherwise, industry practice (as reflected in NUJ Freelance Fees Guide guidance) is that a kill fee of at least 50% of the agreed fee is payable for commissioned work that is not published through no fault of the writer. On this occasion I am claiming a kill fee of 50% of the agreed fee, calculated as follows:

  Agreed fee:              £0.00
  Kill fee percentage:     50%
  KILL FEE CLAIMED:         £0.00

I would be grateful if you could confirm acceptance of this claim and arrange payment within your standard payment terms, or within 30 days of this letter if no other terms have been agreed.

Please note that under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, as a business creditor I am entitled to claim statutory interest (currently calculated as the Bank of England base rate plus 8%) on sums that remain unpaid more than 30 days after the debt becomes due, together with a fixed compensation sum for late payment. I would prefer to resolve this promptly and amicably, and am raising this only so that the position is clear should payment be delayed.

I have attached/can provide evidence of the commission (email correspondence, commissioning brief) on request.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you would like to discuss this by phone.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Name]

Day Rate Quote Calculator

Build a detailed quote with line-item breakdown and rights multiplier — then copy or print for your client.

Project Title

Client Name

Your Rates

Day Rate (£)

Hourly Rate (£)

Scope of Work

On-site / Interview Days

Research Hours

Number of Interviews

Hours per Interview

Writing Hours

Editing / Revision Hours

Usage Rights

Multiplier: ×1 applied to subtotal

Expenses Estimate (£)

Tip: Always quote in writing. If a client agrees verbally, follow up with an email confirming scope, fee, and payment terms within 24 hours. This creates a paper trail and protects you if the commission is later disputed or killed.

Quote Preview

QUOTE FOR JOURNALISTIC SERVICES
================================

Prepared for: [Client Name]
Project: [Project Title]
Date: 16 August 2026
Quote valid until: 30 August 2026

SCOPE OF WORK


FEE BREAKDOWN


Subtotal:                              £0.00
Rights multiplier (Web only, ×1):  £0.00

TOTAL FEE:                             £0.00


RIGHTS LICENSED
Web only

PAYMENT TERMS
50% on commissioning, 50% on delivery. Payment due within 30 days of invoice.
Late payments may incur statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.

This quote is valid for 14 days from the date above.

To proceed, please confirm acceptance in writing and I will issue a formal contract / commissioning agreement.

[Your Name]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone]

---
Note: VAT is not included in this quote. If you are VAT-registered, add 20% standard rate VAT to the total above.

NUJ Rate vs Day Rate Comparator

Compare the NUJ Freelance Fees Guide recommended minimum against a typical UK market day-rate range for the same assignment.

Article/Assignment Type

Outlet Type

Select an assignment type and outlet type to compare rates.

Copyright & Licence Fee Estimator

Estimate a rights-managed photo licence fee based on usage type, duration and outlet size.

Not legal advice — illustrative only. These figures are indicative estimates for negotiation purposes, informed by general NUJ and BAPLA (British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies) context. Actual rights-managed fees vary widely by photographer reputation, exclusivity, subject matter and negotiation. Always agree licence terms in writing before use.

Usage Type

Licence Duration

Outlet Size

Select all three options above to see an estimated fee range.

Byline Clarifier & Generator

Add authors with roles to generate a correctly formatted byline string.

Author 1

Role

Author 2

Role

Add author names and roles above, then click Generate.

Contact Card Maker

Build a journalist contact card and download it as a .vcf file or copy as plain text.

Full name

Job title

Publication

Mobile

Twitter / X

Mastodon

Fill in at least a name to generate the card.

Story Budget Calculator

Track weekly story assignments and spot reporter overallocation. Data is saved in your browser.

Story description

Reporter name

Estimated hours

Priority

Reporter workload this week

Enter reporter names above to see workload.

Total budgeted hours0.0hStories in budget1

Expense Deduction Calculator

Estimate your UK self-assessment deductible expenses and tax saving as a freelance journalist.

Home office method

Simplified (HMRC flat rate)Actual cost

Days per week working from home

Total work miles driven

Equipment cost (£)

Professional subscriptions (£)

Accountant / legal fees (£)

Rail / flights / hotels (£)

Deductible expense breakdown

Home office (flat rate)£0.00Mileage allowance£0.00Equipment£0.00Professional subscriptions£0.00Accountant / legal fees£0.00Rail / flights / hotels£0.00

Total deductible£0.00

Estimated tax saving

Basic rate (20%)£0.00Higher rate (40%)£0.00Additional rate (45%)£0.00

Estimate only. Always confirm with a qualified accountant. Verify current HMRC mileage rates and flat rates at gov.uk before filing.

Downloadable Templates

Click any template to view the full text. Use the Print button to save as PDF or print a hard copy.

Safety & Verification

9 tools

Corrections likelihood, criticism, financial

Risk Description

Likelihood

Impact

Mitigation

Owner

Risk: —

Save or print this register and store with your story file. Editors and lawyers will ask for it if anything goes wrong.

Source Protection Checklist

Answer Yes or No for each item. Every answer is required — this checklist demands commitment, not uncertainty.

1.Did I agree the level of anonymity in writing with the source (off-record / on-background / not-for-attribution / on-record)?

2.Are we communicating through an encrypted channel (Signal, ProtonMail, SecureDrop)?

3.Have I avoided naming the source in emails, calendar invites, or shared documents?

4.Have I stored notes (digital + paper) in a way the source cannot be identified by them alone?

5.Have I stripped metadata from any documents the source sent (e.g. via DocumentCloud or manual EXIF cleaning)?

6.Have I considered whether my device(s) are secure (full-disk encryption, strong passphrase, OS updated)?

7.Have I considered whether cloud backups or syncs (iCloud, Google Drive) could expose source material?

8.Have I considered whether the source's own digital footprint identifies them (their email metadata, badge logs, building access)?

9.Have I considered whether the source could be identified by exclusion ("only X people knew this") and discussed this with them?

10.Have I considered RIPA/IPA powers — police or state could demand my communications data?

11.Have I considered whether a Production Order could be made against me (PACE s.9, Sch.1) and where my notes physically sit?

12.Do I know the NUJ's source protection guidance and have a lawyer contact in case of legal pressure?

0/12 answered

This checklist is a starting point. High-risk source protection scenarios (e.g. state actors, criminal investigations) require professional security advice and possibly legal counsel.

Source Verification Checklist

Work through all 12 questions before publishing. Answer “Yes” or “No” for each item. A strong source should score at least 10 out of 12.

Verification score0 / 12 yes — 0%

1Have you contacted the source directly (not relying solely on third-party accounts)?

2Do you have written or recorded confirmation from the source?

3Have you cross-checked the source against Companies House, Land Registry, or another official register if relevant?

4Is the source identifiable (name, title, organisation) and have you verified their identity?

5Have you sought a second independent source to corroborate the key claim?

6Have you checked the source's track record for accuracy in previous statements?

7Have you given the subject of the story a proper right of reply?

8Are you confident the source has no undisclosed conflict of interest?

9Have you verified any documents provided by the source (checked provenance, metadata, format)?

10Have you checked whether any of the information is sub judice or subject to a reporting restriction?

11Have you consulted your publication's legal team or a media lawyer if there is any doubt?

12Would you be comfortable explaining your verification process in a published Editor's Note?

Questions answered0 / 12

Yes answers0

No answers0

Unanswered12

Password Strength Checker

Check how secure your password is against common attack patterns. No data is sent anywhere — all checks run in your browser.

Enter a password above to check its strength.

Ethics Flowchart

A step-by-step ethical decision guide for UK journalists, referencing IPSO Editors' Code and the NUJ Code of Conduct.

Does the story involve a person who may be adversely affected?

NCTJ Training Provider Fee Comparison

A side-by-side breakdown of UK NCTJ-accredited course fees and exam costs across leading providers. Fees are approximate and verified as of June 2026.

Provider	Location	Delivery	Course Fee	NCTJ Exams	Total Est.	Notes
News Associates	London / Manchester	Full-time / Part-time / Online	£3,495 – £4,495	Included	£3,495 – £4,495	Fast-track options available; often ranked #1 NCTJ centre
Press Association Training	London (primarily)	Full-time / Online	£3,600 – £5,000	Included	£3,600 – £5,000	Industry-backed; strong broadcast pathway
City, University of London	London	Full-time (postgraduate)	£12,500 – £14,000	Included	£12,500 – £14,000	MA Journalism; prestigious; includes NCTJ fast-track
NMA Academy (National Media Academy)	Birmingham	Full-time / Apprenticeship	£2,800 – £4,200	Included	£2,800 – £4,200	Apprenticeship route available; good Midlands network
Lambeth College / NCTJ Direct	London / Online	Part-time / Online	£1,800 – £2,500	£850 approx (separate)	£2,650 – £3,350	Lower cost entry; exam fees billed separately by NCTJ

Last reviewed: 13 June 2026. Fees are approximate and subject to change — always verify directly with the provider before applying.

Note on NCTJ exam fees:NCTJ exam fees are set by NCTJ and change annually. Some centres bundle them; others charge separately. Budget an additional £800–£1,000 if not included.

FOI Cost Estimator

Estimate whether your Freedom of Information request is likely to exceed the statutory cost limit under section 12 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (£600 for central government, £450 for other public authorities, calculated at £25/hour).

Request type

Sector / authority type

Estimated hours to compile

Delivery method

Select all four options above to see your estimated cost outcome.

Note:This is an illustrative estimate only, using the statutory £25/hour rate set out in the Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004. Only time spent determining whether the information is held, locating, retrieving and extracting it counts toward the limit — not time spent considering exemptions or redacting. Not legal advice.

Byline Impact Tracker

Log every published byline to track your monthly output, outlet mix and portfolio growth. Data is saved in your browser only.

Article title

Outlet

Outlet type

Publication date

Pitch Success Rate Calculator

Track every pitch you send and its outcome to see your acceptance rate, response times, and which editors and angles work best. Data is saved in your browser only.

Pitch subject / angle

Outlet

Outlet type

Editor name

Date sent

Status

No pitches logged yet. Add your first one above.

Source Verification Confidence Checker

Get a 0–100 confidence score based on source type, corroboration, and how many verification steps you've completed, plus a red/amber/green publication recommendation.

Source type

Corroborating sources

Verification steps completed0 / 10

1Have you contacted the source directly (not relying solely on third-party accounts)?

2Do you have written or recorded confirmation from the source?

3Have you cross-checked the source against Companies House, Land Registry, or another official register if relevant?

4Is the source identifiable to you (name, title, organisation), even if not published?

5Have you sought a second independent source to corroborate the key claim?

6Have you checked the source's track record for accuracy in previous statements?

7Have you given the subject of the story a proper right of reply?

8Are you confident the source has no undisclosed conflict of interest?

9Have you verified any documents provided (checked provenance, metadata, format)?

10Have you checked whether any of the information is sub judice or subject to a reporting restriction?

Select source type, corroborating source count, and answer all 10 questions to see your confidence score.

Harassment Response Flowchart

A step-by-step guide for UK journalists facing harassment, abuse or threats connected to their work. Answer the questions below for tailored next steps.

Step 1 of 3

What type of threat or harassment are you facing?

Not legal advice. This tool provides general guidance only. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police reporting, call 101. Always seek advice from your employer, the NUJ, or a solicitor for your specific situation.

Quick Converters

Word Count to Read Time

Based on average reading speed of 238 wpm.

Word Count

VAT Calculator

Calculate net to gross at UK standard 20% VAT.

Net Amount (£)

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Downloadable Templates

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Source Protection Checklist

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Password Strength Checker

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Source Verification Confidence Checker

Harassment Response Flowchart

Quick Converters

Word Count to Read Time

VAT Calculator

Looking for guides as well as tools?