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August 2008 News

Wiltshire weekly publishes article in Polish

Translation aims to help track down assault victim

Express and Star helps reassure stricken resort

Weston blaze generates sales boost, East London titles merge, and other news in brief.

New free glossy for "affluent triangle"

Archant launches lifestyle title with political edge

Paper celebrates victory in cancer miles battle

Times secures new radiotherapy unit for its patch

District offices set to close as cutbacks continue

More jobs under threat at Sheffield daily

Journalism college to train Nigerian officials

Africans come to UK to learn media skills

Charles and Boris offer support for dying reporter

Leukaemia sufferer wins Royal and Mayoral praise

Echo editor to join growing PR agency

David Murdock is the latest big signing by Deep South

First-hand experience of commuter hell

Assistant editor braves rush hour for video feature

Most important TV you could ever see

The British Heart Foundation has said people could be putting their lives at risk if they think ‘Hollywood heart attacks’ are actually realistic. The typical movie-style reaction of keeling over and clutching the chest in complete agony could be an

Christmas lights campaign gathers momentum

HTFP story generates support for Epsom Guardian campaign

Digital growth helps Archant weather storm

Online revenues up 63pc as group unveils half-yearly results

Journalists face axe in Scotland and South Yorkshire

Fears that cuts could spread to other Johnston titles

Northcliffe boss slams "insensitive" BBC

Local online video plans will hit regional press, inquiry told

Sports reporter punches above his weight

Matt Westby finishes two months of training with a scored fight

Reporter takes on the pros in Belgium triathlon

Oxford Mail triathlete Emma-Kate Lidbury sets half-marathon best

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.