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June 2008 News

Newspapers' web platforms 'growing at double-digit rates'

Latest figures show rising trend for digital media

Blackadder goes forth into Gloucestershire

Bristol Evening Post man to take over as editor of the Echo

Young sports writer lifts trophy for his work

Jim Rodger Memorial Award for the best young sports journalist in Scotland is handed out

Bromley football writer lifts lid on career in new book

Forty-year career in football takes in local, national and international tales

Local press helps execution-threatened Iraqi journalist win extended UK stay

Deaths of colleagues and threat to family led man to flee home country

Media intervention in court secures identification of 'home alone' woman as child's mother

PA and the Lincs Echo persuade judge to lift reporting restriction in neglect case

Prime minister's support for Spitfire monument plan delights the Echo

Gordon Brown is backing a regional newspaper’s campaign to create a landmark monument

Fast-growing independent newspaper group announces latest launch plans

Latest addition to Forth Independent Newspapers’ portfolio to hit the streets next week

Sunderland-born journalist dies at 83

Alan Brien wrote for a variety of publications and specialised as a film critic

Journalist cautioned by police for supplying alcohol to children

Disorder incident followed photo shoot where teens were allowed to keep drinks

Evening Post and The Sentinel lead the pack for Midlands media awards

“Rich pool of journalistic talent” reaps rewards at Birmingham Press Club event

Benazir snap secures top photography prize

A brace of awards for Getty Images photographer at press awards scheme

Weekly newspaper office firebombed in arson attack

Middleton Guardian defies arsonists to ensure publication continued

EDF Energy South West Media Awards: What the judges said

More news and comments from the latest regional press awards

Editor bows out after 13 years in charge

Berwick Advertiser boss bids farewell to colleagues after 37 years with the paper

Prize-winners' photographs from the EDF Energy South West Media Awards

See all the winners from the the glittering ceremony at the Steam railway museum, in Swindon

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.