Aaliyah Harris: The Rising British Journalist Redefining Digital Storytelling and Audience Engagement
Who is Aaliyah Harris?
Aaliyah Harris is a highly skilled and ambitious British journalist and Audience Editor at The Independent, one of the UK’s most respected digital news outlets. Known across social media as @ah_journalism, she represents a new generation of journalists who combine sharp editorial instincts with data-driven audience insight. With a career spanning influential media organisations such as Sky News, The I Paper, Financial Times, and CNN International, Aaliyah Harris has built a remarkable portfolio that bridges traditional journalism and digital innovation.
Her expertise spans news and feature writing, investigative reporting, video and podcast production, and the strategic management of audience growth across multiple digital platforms. Based in London, she has become one of the standout voices in British journalism, consistently recognised for her commitment to quality storytelling and her ability to connect with global audiences.
Early Education and Academic Foundation
Aaliyah Harris studied Journalism with Study Abroad (BA Hons) at City, University of London, one of the UK’s leading institutions for media and communications. Graduating with an Upper Class 2:1, she distinguished herself early on through a first-class dissertation and top marks in Media Law. During her studies, she represented her department as a Journalism Student Representative and took part in societies such as Girl Up and the African and Caribbean Society, highlighting her passion for inclusion and representation in the media.
Her academic journey included a transformative study abroad year at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) in Canada, where she further honed her multimedia storytelling and global awareness. There, she excelled in modules like Video Production Techniques, Podcasting and Radio, Queer Media, and Homelessness in Canadian Society, achieving a mix of A and B grades that reflected her consistent performance and intellectual curiosity.
Before university, she studied at Exeter College, earning top grades (A*, A, B, B) in Media, Music, and English Language, alongside participation in the JAX Journalism Academy—a programme that nurtured her earliest experience as a budding journalist.
Career Beginnings: From Print to Digital Journalism
Aaliyah Harris began her professional journey in the UK media industry through internships and work experience at several major outlets, demonstrating drive and determination from an early age.
Her initial experiences at Pride Magazine UK, ELLE Magazine, and Heat Magazine offered her hands-on exposure to entertainment, fashion, and cultural journalism. During her time at Pride Magazine, she wrote online and print features covering entertainment and lifestyle, including popular pieces such as “Rihanna’s Barbados Cropover Looks” and “Timeless Summer Jams of the Nineties and Noughties.”
Her work at NME, Bauer Media Group, and Hearst UK refined her editorial and production skills, preparing her for the fast-paced world of digital storytelling. She also contributed to Andrew Butler Photography, gaining valuable creative direction and visual storytelling experience—skills that would later enhance her multimedia journalism.
Aaliyah Harris at CNN International and The Financial Times
Aaliyah’s entry into large-scale media came through CNN International, where she worked as a Visuals and Features Intern. Her time there exposed her to the global newsroom environment, working across digital, video, and TV production. She contributed to stories that touched on global travel, architecture, technology, and human-interest narratives. Her role included technical training in newsroom tools like iNews, MIRA, and CMS, alongside video editing and photojournalism.
Soon after, she joined the Financial Times as an Editorial Intern, where her responsibilities involved fact-checking, sub-editing, and managing social media output for FT Weekend and FT Magazine. She contributed to the FT Weekend Digital Festival and wrote features such as “Hot tubs, houseplants, cottagecore: how the pandemic changed our homes”, showcasing her adaptability in capturing lifestyle trends with journalistic precision.
These formative roles demonstrated her versatility and attention to editorial detail, helping her transition smoothly into audience engagement and digital strategy roles.
Professional Growth at The I Paper
Aaliyah Harris’s career gained significant traction during her time at The I Paper, where she served as both Audience Executive and later Assistant Audience Editor. Over more than two years, she helped steer audience growth through data analytics, social media, and content optimisation.
Her role at The I included curating newsletters, commissioning SEO writers, and using platforms like Echobox, Sailthru, Google Analytics, and Microsoft Power BI to interpret audience behaviour. She played a crucial part in ensuring that digital and print content reached readers in the most effective way possible.
Her multimedia experience also expanded through producing videos and interactive features, and she was involved in significant stories such as “Meet the British activist fighting for asexual rights”—a socially conscious piece reflecting her commitment to underrepresented voices.
Sky News: From Assistant Producer to Multi-Platform Storyteller
In 2023, Aaliyah Harris joined Sky News as an Assistant Producer, where she worked across both digital and broadcast divisions. Her day-to-day work involved planning news coverage, writing scripts for TV and online platforms, sourcing guests, and editing video and audio.
She contributed to election coverage, breaking news, and in-depth feature programming, often taking on production and fact-checking roles. Aaliyah also gained experience with Sky Sports News, expanding her reach into sports journalism and feature reporting.
Her cross-platform fluency—spanning social media, podcasts, radio, and television—made her a valuable asset in the hybrid newsroom era, where traditional journalism meets audience-driven digital content.
Aaliyah Harris at The Independent
Currently, Aaliyah Harris serves as Audience Editor at The Independent, leading audience growth strategies for the Indy100 section. Her work involves developing multi-platform social media and SEO strategies, managing content optimisation, commissioning trending stories, and analysing audience performance metrics.
She is known for identifying viral and culture-led news that resonates with readers while maintaining editorial integrity. Her leadership in audience development and data-driven storytelling has positioned her as a key figure in shaping The Independent’s digital presence.
Through her work, Aaliyah contributes to bridging the gap between quality journalism and modern digital consumption, ensuring that factual reporting and creative storytelling continue to thrive in an evolving online environment.
Aaliyah Harris’s Skills and Professional Strengths
-
Digital Journalism: Mastery in producing and curating stories across web, video, and social platforms.
-
Audience Analytics: Skilled in using metrics to inform editorial strategies and content performance.
-
SEO and Social Media Management: Expert in writing optimised headlines and managing multi-platform distribution.
-
Broadcast and Production: Proficient in radio, podcasting, and video production for news and feature storytelling.
-
Data and Strategy: Experienced with Google Analytics, Power BI, RTA, and Echobox for performance tracking.
-
Editorial Commissioning: Commissioning writers and curating stories across culture, current affairs, and lifestyle domains.
Recognition and Professional Philosophy
Aaliyah Harris embodies the new face of British journalism—digital-first, socially aware, and globally connected. Her career reflects a blend of technical skill and editorial intuition, with a dedication to amplifying diverse voices and engaging audiences through meaningful, accessible content.
She describes herself as ambitious, reliable, and keen to learn, continuously expanding her expertise in newsrooms that demand adaptability and creativity. From producing investigative features to leading audience engagement initiatives, Aaliyah Harris has established herself as a versatile professional whose impact continues to grow across the UK media landscape.
Conclusion: A Trailblazer in Modern Media
Aaliyah Harris’s journey from her early journalism internships to her current role as Audience Editor at The Independent highlights her relentless commitment to excellence. Her cross-platform experience, data literacy, and storytelling ability make her a standout figure in modern journalism.
Whether crafting powerful features on social change or driving audience strategies behind the scenes, Aaliyah Harris exemplifies the evolution of media in the digital age—intelligent, inclusive, and globally aware. As she continues to innovate within British journalism, her influence on the industry’s future is set to expand even further.
FAQs
1. Who is Aaliyah Harris?
Aaliyah Harris is a British journalist and Audience Editor at The Independent. She has previously worked with major media outlets including Sky News, The I Paper, Financial Times, and CNN International.
2. What is Aaliyah Harris known for?
She is recognised for her expertise in digital journalism, audience growth, SEO strategy, and multimedia storytelling, combining traditional reporting with innovative audience engagement techniques.
3. Where did Aaliyah Harris study?
Aaliyah graduated with a BA (Hons) in Journalism from City, University of London, earning an Upper Class 2:1. She also completed a study abroad year at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada.
4. Which articles or stories has she written?
Her notable works include features such as “Artificial Intelligence in Tennis: As Wimbledon Embraces AI”, “Inside the UK’s Music Festival Crisis”, and “Meet the British Activist Fighting for Asexual Rights”, published across The Independent, Sky News, and The I Paper.
5. What are Aaliyah Harris’s key skills?
Her core skills include social media management, data analytics, SEO content optimisation, digital production, podcasting, and news writing, reflecting a strong command of both editorial and audience strategy.
