‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast shortlisted for NCTJ Awards for Excellence
News Associates’ ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast hosted by Plamedi Mbungu is shortlisted for ‘Innovation of the Year’ at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2025.
‘How to be a Journalist’ is a free and accessible podcast for anyone interested in breaking into journalism and the media.
The ‘Innovation of the Year’ award celebrates journalism training centres that find new and exciting ways to inspire training journalists.
Plamedi’s laid back interview style sees journalists talk candidly about their routes into the media, the highs and lows of life in our industry, and advice for starting out.
We share links to the podcast with schools and universities across the country, giving students of all ages an insight into journalism and training options that they might not otherwise have access to.
Plamedi’s first guest was Daily Mail political correspondent Kumail Jaffer. Kumail starts his story talking about how the Journalism Diversity Fund launched his successful career.
“There was no one who looks like me [in journalism],” he said. “There’s no better way to change something than being on the inside and changing it from within.”
In October 2025 Plamedi launched a mini-series for Black History Month. Plamedi wanted to celebrate the trailblazers pushing for more inclusion, representation and accountability.
Elsewhere, 18 News Associates graduates are shortlisted across 23 nominations, in news, sport, features, data, videojournalism, diversity and more – meaning News Associates make up 29% of the entire shortlist.
View this post on Instagram
News Associates editorial development coordinator Plamedi said: “Seeing the ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast receive recognition by being named in the NCTJ Awards for Excellence shortlist for ‘Innovation of the Year’ is a brilliant achievement.
“I’m so proud to see the podcast go from strength to strength in this manner.
“It started off as a pitch in my interview for the marketing and admissions assistant vacancy but now the podcast has 20 brilliant episodes that early-career journalists like myself can listen to and learn about the industry from those who have been there and done it.
“Having trainees help me with the podcast has also been brilliant and this nomination is also a testament to the producers and researchers who have helped bring this podcast from concept to a real tangible product that is informative just as it is entertaining.
“Hoping we can bring home ‘Innovation of the Year’ to #TeamNA!”
@newsassociates_ What a year of the ‘How to be a Journalist’ looks like 🎙️ Onwards and upwards into 2026 ✨ #HTBAJ #Podcast #Journalist #London #NewsAssociates ♬ original sound – yahoo
News Associates editorial development director Lucy Dyer said: “We are absolutely thrilled Plamedi’s ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast has been shortlisted for ‘Innovation of the Year’ at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2025.
“Plamedi pitched the podcast in his job interview and has since grown with it in the time he has worked with us. I know he looks back and cringes at some of the early episodes but they’re also some of my favourite interviews – thank you so much to Kumail Jaffer and Chris Reidy for chatting to Plamedi before the podcast even launched.
@newsassociates_ Get an insight into working as a sports journalist at Sky Sports with special guest of the ‘How to be a Journalist’ podcast Chris Reidy ⚽️ Dropping at 1pm December 30 ‼️ #TeamNA #StartedHere #SkySports #SportsJournalist #SportsCareer ♬ Ok I Like It – Milky Chance
“The extra special Black History Month mini-series was a year in the making and I really don’t think it could have been any better.
View this post on Instagram
“The podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to enter the journalism industry. Plamedi’s relaxed and personable interviewing style sees guests open up and speak candidly and honestly about their careers.
“Plamedi has made so many connections in the industry since working on ‘How to be a Journalist’, including We Are Black Journos founder Hannah Àjàlá and CNN enterprise writer Rob Picheta – who reached out to Plamedi specifically to be interviewed on the podcast.
“Other highlights include Plamedi interviewing his former Kingston University lecturer Reporters Without Borders UK director Fiona O’Brien and hosting an episode of the podcast live at JournoFest.
“We really hope there is a podcast guest for everyone to relate to.
“Thanks and well done also to our producer Grace Crowley who is taking on more challenges daily as the podcast continues to thrive.
“Bring on our News Associates 20th anniversary special episodes this year.”
News Associates has previously won two ‘Innovation of the Year’ awards – firstly in 2020 for our unique approach to remote journalism training and again in 2022 for our trainees’ multimedia coverage of the death and funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The NCTJ Awards for Excellence will take place at the Brighton Dome on Tuesday March 24, 2026.
You can listen to and watch our How to be a Journalist podcast on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.