Manchester, birthplace of journalism

Manchester, birthplace of journalism podcast • 28th April 2026

Blood Brothers

Manchester, 1819. This is where we are starting in our epic journey of discovering Manchester’s roots as a birthplace of modern journalism.

In episode 1, we explore the history of the Guardian and the Manchester Evening News as well as looking at why this is still relevant today.

Manchester, birthplace of journalism podcast • 28th April 2026

Groovy and outrageous

Jumping ahead, we’re now in the 1970s. In episode 2, we look at an everchanging Manchester and see how journalism fits into that. From children of the 70s, we hear what life was like during this pivotal time.

Manchester, birthplace of journalism podcast • 28th April 2026

Murder, He Wrote

In this special edition, we speak to David Jones and Nigel Skinner, two local journalists who have covered Greater Manchester for decades. From knowing Harold Shipman to writing about the Moors Murders, they have quite a few stories between them.

Manchester, birthplace of journalism podcast • 28th April 2026

A City United

Sport is a key part of Manchester’s DNA. From the 1958 Munich Air Disaster to the IRA bomb during the 1996 Euros, we look at how journalists reported on tragedy, their experiences at the heart of the stories and why their role was so important.

Manchester, birthplace of journalism podcast • 28th April 2026

A new hope

In this final episode, we look at where we are now. With BBC departments moving North in 2011, we reflect on how significant this move was and what it has done for journalism in the region.