Durham in Print: the power of student journalism
By Isla Mustin
As Editor-in-Chief of Palatinate and former Editor of Thread Magazine, ISLA MUSTIN has long been at the forefront of Durham’s journalistic community. She reflects on the creativity, challenges, and innovations of student media - and how tomorrow’s journalists are shaped within Durham’s publications.
From my very first term, student journalism has been at the core of my university experience. Working across different publications has shown me not only its reach, but given me a front-row seat to witness journalism’s power in shaping how we understand our university, our peers, and connect with the wider world beyond our Durham comfort zone.
Durham may not offer a degree in journalism, but its publications have long been some of the University’s most vital and enduring platforms, driven entirely by the creativity and independence of its students. From THREAD’s fashion, arts, and culture coverage to Palatinate’s news reporting and political analysis, they have flourished in many forms, each acting as an essential pillar of student life, safeguarding free expression and giving students a voice.
At the Fresher’s Fair, I beelined towards Palatinate, Durham’s student newspaper. A love of reading and writing drew me in, but more than anything, I was eager to meet others who saw the newspaper as more than just another society. Now entering my final year, I feel incredibly fortunate to be still leading the Palatinate alongside a team of dedicated journalists, carrying forward a legacy that has given students both a platform for impactful, hard-hitting work, and the stepping stone to launch their careers in the field.
Alongside the more traditional and historical student papers, I have been struck by the creativity and innovation of the zines and magazines that have emerged during my time at Durham. Each has illustrated originality and a new vision, as students carve their own spaces for expression in the broad landscape of student media. A particular favourite of mine was The Chrysalis Zine, produced as part of the Revival Fashion Show, and completely distinctive to any other publication I had encountered at Durham. Its design was eccentric and special, brimming with inspiration, while the writing was moving and full of raw spirit.
Durham student media extends far beyond print: podcasts, video content, and digital platforms are flourishing, offering students ever more ways to experiment and share their ideas.
Earlier this year, I had the chance to serve as the Magazine Director for THREAD. It was unlike any project I had taken on before, as I learned on the job how to bring together a visually cohesive publication by experimenting with design and learning to weave together writing, art, and photography. For me, the challenge lay in ensuring the magazine did justice to the creativity and authenticity of the students’ work entrusted to THREAD, showcasing their talent with the care and attention it deserved.
Student journalism teaches lessons that no other society can. It has pushed me to be the most creative (and organised!) version of myself, while helping me grow in confidence, offering me the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people in journalism, including some of my personal heroes. I have made my closest friends, and experienced a level of camaraderie unlike anything else at university. When you are truly focused on telling the story and producing something exceptional with a team, all competition and ego fall away, leaving behind a genuine shared purpose to inform and give students a voice.
The challenges are real and intense, and at times can feel like a full-time job, but they prepare you for the world beyond university in ways few others experiences are able to. Sleepless nights perfecting an edition are exhausting and maddening, but holding the final copy in your hands makes every moment spent pulling your hair out completely worth it.
It is more important than ever that students are learning the skills to become the journalists of tomorrow. Whether that be through words, photographs, or film, a free press remains essential in ensuring that every community is represented and that stories too often left untold are brought to light. In a landscape shaped by online misinformation and the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence, the journalist’s duty to uphold accuracy and authenticity is unlike any challenge faced before. In my eyes, a skilled journalist must be able to cut through the noise and bring truth to the surface in a way that is not only heard, but acted upon.
I highly encourage anyone to get involved in student journalism in some way - whether that's pitching an article, submitting an illustration or trying your hand at editing. There’s truly a publication for everyone at Durham, and if you don’t find one that fits, it’s the perfect opportunity to create your own. You don’t need to be as obsessed as I have to get the same rewards, but believe me when I say there really is no outlet like it.
Keep an eye out for the smaller publications and new projects emerging around Durham; you’ll be inspired and amazed by the imagination, quality and outstanding dedication of your peers.
