About | Melissa Fleur Afshar

Melissa Fleur Afshar

WHO I AM

I am a multi-award-winning journalist and reporter based in London, England with experience in broadcasting, feature writing and news production.

I started writing stories (for fun) when I was 7, but I began my career as a teenager by picking up unpaid opportunities in broadcast, print and digital media. I'm now experienced in all three.

My expertise is in lifestyle, current affairs and topical news, society, human-interest stories, culture and the arts.

I carry a passion for stories that place people at the very centre and I am eager to delve into the events and innovations that impact our lives.

I can meet deadlines in high-pressure environments, turn around clean copy at speed, bring offbeat stories to the editorial table, and adapt with ease to diverse cultural and linguistic settings.

I am confident operating as a frontline reporter producing original journalism; interviewing, tackling challenging stories, connecting with people, and communicating difficult concepts—all to bring stories into the public domain.

Above all, I am a curious person and I'm passionate about new ways of storytelling. I care meticulously about things, events, differing ideas, and perspectives—and I write about them.

I am eager to tackle the biggest stories of our time, communicate with a diverse variety of individuals, and gather information to produce moving packages and features. With BA and MA degrees in History, I'm an analytical person and I carry that into my projects. I dig deep into all angles of a story to produce accurate, innovative, and thoughtful reports.

I am a self-starter. I built my diverse portfolio without prior access to industry connections. I've managed to do this because I'm interested in our world, and my life experiences have shaped me into an open-minded and empathetic individual; one who can produce content that generates passion, thought, and emotion.

I have worked with media professionals, subject matter experts, public figures, and digital creators across my career—building a strong network of contacts along the way.

I am proud of my ability to examine every story through a considered lens, and cut through noise to reach and report facts.

In my free time I can be found pampering my dog, watching foreign language movies with subtitles, making playlists, reading, painting, playing piano, swimming, spending far too much time on Instagram, and pestering my friends for the next "motive".

BACKGROUND AND LANGUAGES

I was born in England, United Kingdom and my native language is British English.

I am also proficient in French to a limited working or "conversational" degree and I am able to fluently communicate in Persian. I have worked on both French culture and Persian-language stories in my career.

I'm currently learning Italian, and have written in American English for several publications.

I was tutored in French as a child and I spent a significant amount of time in France while growing up, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the French language and culture. I have also worked at two language schools and in Versailles, Ile De France, as an English language "governess" for a French family with young children.

I hold BAC and ODLQC accredited TEFL qualifications in English Language Grammar, Methodology, Language Awareness, and Video Observation.

My trilingual proficiency and understanding of different cultures helps me correspond with a wider pool of journalists, tackle international stories, and unpick the deeper political and social motivations or consequences of international affairs.

EDITING AND PRESENTING

I am proficient in SEO coding and in working on content management systems (CMS) and Microsoft Office applications; which assist me in the completion of editorial admin and the creation of digital stories.

I'm proficient in using photo, audio and video editing software like Audacity, Canva and DaVinci Resolve, and have been through a series of Google-led training sessions at Newsweek to learn how to combat misinformation in reporting, editing and content production in a world with AI.

I am able to produce and present factual media programmes for broadcast channels by taking ideas all the way from planning to the recording phase.

My prior student involvement in debating societies, Model United Nations and Mock Trial competitions demonstrates my flair for organising ideas and public communication.

I enjoy working in a team and I am confident liaising with newsrooms and different desks. I'm also confident in taking sole responsibility for an assignment.

I see the value and fun in social media and have mastered how it can be used to share news media content. I am able to engage with audiences through all social media channels and can design and produce original digital and audiovisual content for specific audiences and platforms.

INDUSTRY ROLES

In 2021, I spent a few months as the content and media manager of an aviation training facility where I created a news page on the academy's website and wrote a number of features on industry affairs.

My titles ranged from,"The Transatlantic Travel Corridor: Who Wants It And Why?" to "Redundancy, Boredom and Isolation: Welcome to The Not-So-Glamorous Lives Of Grounded Flight Attendants During The COVID-19 Pandemic".

I boosted engagement on the facility's online platforms during a challenging time for the aviation and aerospace industries.

I arranged and oversaw for BBC Three Counties Radio to film the facility and produce a radio broadcast on how its practical teaching had been moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I also made arrangements for record-breaking pilot Travis Ludlow to sit down for an interview with me, and pitched an article about the facility's impact on the local economy to a community newspaper.

On a daily basis, I interviewed industry professionals from flight attendants to aircraft engineers on an array of subjects, and created social media content by filming facility tours, explainers, or simulator tutorials. I'd track audience engagement through Google Analytics and individual social media channels.

As a financial technology news reporter for WatersTechnology, I reported on news and trends in the equity and fixed-income markets.

I interviewed senior executives, technologists, and other C-suite professionals at high-profile technology, finance, and data companies or exchanges for stories. I conducted my own research, pitched original story ideas on a weekly basis, and worked closely with an editorial team spread across London and New York to uncover news.

To elevate stories, I interviewed academics, researchers, consultants, and subject matter experts to learn about technological or financial developments and gain third-party perspectives. I frequently attended press receptions, news conferences, roundtables, and briefings all around the City—while keeping on top of a number of trusted contacts, responsibilities, deadlines, and the changing financial news cycle and agenda.

I also wrote the publication's weekly news-in-brief newsletter.

I applied my investigative eye to pieces and worked through FOIA requests, government databases, financial reports, earnings calls, transcripts, and archives for stories.

I wrote exclusive stories on financial technology giants like; Bloomberg, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Google, Nasdaq, Symphony Communications, Amazon, Appital, Microsoft, SS&C, FactSet, MarketAxess, Blue Prism, and SmartStream, and interviewed executives from IBM, Fidelity International, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Net Purpose, Aquis Exchange, Bloomberg and MSCI—and I worked on subjects like; artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, regulation, financial crime, economic sanctions, data, cloud computing, indices, interoperability, consolidated tapes, trade settlements, software management systems, automation, derivatives, market liquidity, ESG, and gender-based discrimination.

During my time at WatersTechnology, I was named one of LSEG's 'relevant journalists' and was kept in the know because of that. Many of my stories were featured in the publication's 'most read' section, with some becoming the number one 'most read' story for a period of time.

As a digital journalist and content producer at LBC and LBC News at Global's London studios I wrote breaking articles on the top stories of the day: from the death of Queen Elizabeth II to the cost of living crisis, from the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran to Liz Truss' short premiership, multiple NHS strikes and the crash in the value of pound sterling. I also wrote pieces that hit on social themes including classism, racism, and immigration.

I worked on the shows of high-profile broadcasters like Rachel Johnson, Sangita Myska, Matt Frei, David Lammy, Andrew Marr, Nick Ferrari, Lewis Goodall, and James O'Brien—sometimes live from the studio as a show aired.

I'd pitch to and work closely with producers, editors, and the extended LBC team.

In 2022, official statistics named LBC the UK's number-one commercial talk brand, drawing in millions of listeners per week. Global is (at the time of writing) the largest commercial radio company in Europe.

I am currently a Life and Trends reporter at Newsweek's London bureau, with a specialist beat in relationships and its intersection with technology.

My current focus is on pitching, flagging and writing trending stories, profiles, case study-led articles and human-interest features on a variety of topics ranging from relationships, technology and personal finances to health, work, travel, fashion, entertainment, family dynamics—and any hot topic trending in the cultural zeitgeist.

I have covered current affairs, social issues, and lifestyle stories extensively.

My Newsweek features cover diverse ground from sexual assault to generational conflicts and offbeat story concepts. I also write on science and news topics. I've filmed video interviews and video content for some of my features and have appeared on Newsweek's social media platforms and web player. Several of my self-pitched features have appeared in its premier print magazine, which has been in publication since 1933, and on the front page, homepage or 'Editor's Picks' section of the publication's website.

On a daily basis, I communicate with subject matter experts, digital creators and public figures while hunting for new cultural trends, viral content and topical stories to platform.

My team use social media platforms as a means to gather global news and lifestyle stories, making us instrumental in helping legacy and establishment media make inroads on platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with wider audiences.

My stories at Newsweek get read by between 1.8 and 4.8 million people per month—with some stories being viewed over one million times. I've amassed a large audience at Newsweek and on multiple occasions have been one of the 'most read' writers at Newsweek, with the publication's 'top performing' or 'top trending' story for a period of time. I have written more than 2,000 stories for Newsweek since joining the media brand in 2023, with several of my original pieces being copied or picked up by competitors. A few of my stories have also been platformed or mentioned by other creators in prominent Substack newsletters or on viral Instagram posts and in YouTube videos.

Stories I have broken at Newsweek, before other media outlets include:

HUDA BEAUTY BOYCOTT AFTER FOUNDER REPORTEDLY SHARES PRO-IRANIAN REGIME POST.

MAMDANI, SCHLOSSBERG, AND THE RISE OF 'AESTHETICALLY LITERATE' POLITICIANS.

POST-ACHIEVEMENT DEPRESSION: HOW TO KNOW YOU HAVE IT.

KYLIE JENNER MAY HAVE COST TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET AN OSCAR, AWARDS VOTER SAYS.

GEN Z IS COLLECTING SILVERWARE NOW—HERE'S WHY IT MATTERS.

HOW SUBSTACK BECAME THE HOTTEST SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM.

WHAT IS 'NONNA MAXXING'? MEET GEN Z'S GUILT-FREE ANSWER TO MODERN LIFESTYLE.

HIRED, MANAGED, AND FIRED BY AI: STORIES FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE.

WHAT IS 'BEDTIME STACKING'? MEET GEN Z'S GUILT-FREE ANSWER TO BED ROTTING.

THERE'S NOW A CAFÉ WHERE YOU GO ON DATES WITH AI.

HE BACKED US ON ASSANGE FOR YEARS—NOW HIS DOCUMENTARY TELLS DIFFERENT STORY.

THE SURPRISING WAYS META IS SUPPORTING IRAN'S PROTESTS.

IS HAVING A BOYFRIEND 'REPUBLICAN' NOW? WHY SOME WOMEN THINK SO.

ARE GEN Z THE MOST AGEIST GENERATION?

ARE MILLENNIALS TOO TIRED TO CHEAT?

TEEN'S HOMETOWN BURNED DOWN—THEN HE USED AI TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

In 2024, Newsweek was named the fastest-growing English language news website in the world, according to Press Gazette.

Newsweek won a Webby Award in 2026.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

I have written and spoken about all things from full-motion aviation simulators to terrorist attacks and general elections.

My prior experience includes producing digital news content for LBC at Global's London studios, writing sparkling copy for a variety of international publications and producing and broadcasting news bulletins and current affairs content on FM radio stations.

I have also assisted with the production research of an upcoming feature-length documentary by an award-winning production company in affiliation with Sky. I was approached to assist with the production due to my own level of news research in the film's subject.

In 2025, I contributed to the judging of the 71st Neal Awards.

My published work encompasses A-LIST celebrity interviews, in-depth political analyses, human-interest features, spunky fashion write ups and breaking news reports.

My online publications enticed a readership of over 60,000 in the first year I'd been actively writing, while studying full-time at university.

MEDIA AWARDS

London, Dec 2019 - “Best Topical News Show”

Issued By Insanity Radio 103.2FM partnered with Ofcom.

London, Dec 2019 - “Silver Award: Best New Radio Show”

Issued By Insanity Radio 103.2FM partnered with Ofcom.

Two months into the running of my live FM current affairs show, ‘Melissa’s Morning Review’, it was awarded the “Best Topical News Show” of 2019 out of a selection of high-quality shows on this network.

I was commended for showcasing an "extremely high standard of journalism and broadcasting".

My "engaging on-air delivery, professionalism, and enthusiasm" were also commended by the Ofcom representative who presented me with this award.

Judged by the Station Manager of Insanity Radio and an Ofcom representative.

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Current affairs, feature writing, human-interest stories, topical journalism, presenting, interviewing and news-gathering.

EXPERIENCED IN

Working in international, national and local multimedia newsrooms, documentary production research, broadcast journalism, newspaper journalism, magazine journalism, opinion journalism, digital journalism, digital content production, current affairs reporting, political reporting, breaking news reporting, fashion journalism, crime journalism, data journalism, social media journalism, aviation journalism, tech journalism, financial journalism, lifestyle and human-interest journalism, weather journalism, long-form investigations, long-form coverage, short-form reports, producing hourly news bulletins, filing to deadline, filing FOIA requests, applying different attribution levels during interviews, handling quote and factual accuracy checks, filming vox pops, attending news and press conferences, working in studio environments, producing audiovisual content, producing interactive graphs, producing social media content, specialised audio production, editorial admin, article editing, weekend magazine and supplement paper writing, news reading, transcribing, interviewing, researching, copywriting, and communications management.

SKILLS

Resourceful, adaptable, diligent attention to detail, probative questioning, developing stories or "emergency" situations, spotting emerging trends and topics of public interest, spotting news hooks, strong news judgement and audience awareness.

EDUCATION

2020 - Present

I've got a sound understanding of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

I'm trained in how to use AI in a newsroom setting.

Throughout 2026 and 2025 I attended Newsweek's TikTok-led training sessions to learn how journalists can use the platform to boost their reach.

In 2025, I took a 15-week French course at Institut Français du Royaume-Uni.

In 2025, I was invited to speak to undergraduate humanities students at Royal Holloway, University of London about my career in media.

In 2025, I was invited to contribute to the judging of the 71st Neal Awards.

In 2024, I attended Newsweek's Google-led training sessions to learn how journalists can combat misinformation online.

In 2023, I was invited to be a panelist at a Bournemouth University event, to give a talk to undergraduate students about my career in media.

In 2022, I passed Global's Media Law and Ofcom Code course.

2019 - 2020

Upper Division Second Class Honours

Master of Arts in History

Royal Holloway,

University of London

I attained a Merit in my Master's Degree in History at Royal Holloway, University of London. My Head of Department was renowned historian, Dr. Anna Whitelock. I specialised in the political and economic history of modern Europe; particularly the intellectual theories that characterise post-war Britain and France. My additional areas of research under world-leading historians included; advanced historical concepts and practices, utopian and dystopian literature, Keynesianism, monetarism, attitudes towards HIV/AIDS in 1980s Britain, a range of political and economic ideologies, and the early history of aeronautical engineering and meteorology.

I also studied two courses at The Bedford Centre for the History of Women and Gender, and a course in designing databases for historical research at the Institute of Historical Research at the University of London's School of Advanced Study.

My postgraduate dissertation, titled "Lights, Camera, Action...and Revolution?: The Politics of French New Wave Cinema, c. 1950-1970,”explored representations of contemporary French sociopolitical and economic affairs in Nouvelle Vague cinema—for this, I had to spend plenty of time in digital French archives—and was awarded a high Merit.

Through my studies I gained thorough experience in researching, disseminating content, interviewing, crafting extensive written pieces, and professional referencing—alongside an advanced understanding of a variety of historical and social concepts and approaches. This has strengthened my ability to study and communicate global affairs, and my understanding of the attitudes, narratives, and debates that oscillate in general conversation.

2016 - 2019

First Class Honours

Bachelor of Arts in History

Bournemouth University

I attained First Class Honours in my Bachelor's Degree in History at Bournemouth University. I studied within Bournemouth University's Faculty of Media and Communication; which houses the university's Centre for Excellence in Media Practice.

My undergraduate dissertation on political communication and political personalisation, titled "A Comparative Analysis of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair, 1975-1998: An Exploration of Modern Political Communication and The Personalisation of Politics,” incorporated aspects of political science, sociolinguistics, and modern history by drawing on inter-disciplinary sources and theories. This dissertation was an intensive study of modern political spin and required the dissemination of vast material from multiple newspaper archives.

The paper was awarded a First.

SELECTED TRANSCRIPT

Life and Trends Reporter, Newsweek | London, United Kingdom | Jan 2023 - Present.

Digital Journalist and Content Producer, LBC and LBC News | London, United Kingdom | Sep 2022 - Jan 2023.

Reporter, WatersTechnology by Infopro Digital | London, United Kingdom | Jan 2022 - Nov 2022.

Features Writer, tmrw Magazine | London, United Kingdom | Oct 2018 - Dec 2021.

Broadcast Journalist, Insanity Radio 103.2FM | Egham, United Kingdom | Sep 2019 - Aug 2020.

Deputy Head of News, Insanity Radio 103.2FM | Egham, United Kingdom | Sep 2019 - Aug 2020.

Health Editor, The Tab | Bournemouth, United Kingdom | Jan 2019 - Aug 2019.

Newsreader and News Producer, Nerve Radio 87.9FM | Poole, United Kingdom | Nov 2018 - May 2019.

Assistant Journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times | London, United Kingdom | Aug 2018.

ACTIVITIES

I have attended events hosted by or affiliated with the likes of Paris Fashion Week, M&S Food, Beaverbrook Hotels, Financial Times, World Sustainability Organization, London Fashion Week, New Scientist, EssilorLuxottica, Canoe, London Stock Exchange, Flowers Gallery Mayfair, Biologan, GenM, Société Générale, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Bank of Canada, Bloomberg, The National Youth Film Awards, BBC, Deutsche Börse, The Ned London, ARPR, Ted Baker, Soho House, Euronext, One To One Africa, Goldman Sachs, The Langham London, Howlett Dubaele and have contributed to or collaborated with the likes of Annuity, No Panic, Desenio, To'ak Chocolate, Brain Tumour Research and Megelin.

*This is not a list of paid partnerships or contractual endorsements, but some of the charities, organisations and brands that have either gifted me products and experiences to consider producing content for and review, or have asked me to provide special coverage for them. Gifted items and experiences are always clarified on my social media platforms.

TRAINING

2021: John Schofield Trust's 'Masterclass" on 'How To Present A News Programme', with Guest Speakers; Cathy Newman, Julie Etchingham, and Naga Munchetty.

2021: BBC Young Reporter Media Industry Workshop.

2020: BBC News Development in Journalism Seminar.

2020: Research Seminar by Senate House Library, University of London.

2017: Lecture by Robert Seatter, BBC Head of History.

Melissa Fleur Afshar

Melissa Fleur Afshar

WHO I AM

SPECIAL INTERESTS

EXPERIENCED IN

SKILLS

EDUCATION

2020 - Present

2019 - 2020

2016 - 2019

SELECTED TRANSCRIPT

ACTIVITIES

​

TRAINING