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June 2009 News

Liverpool Echo to retain on-day edition

Union claims title will compete with stablemate

Benevolent journalists raise nearly £10,000

Archant staffers sign up for charity fundraisers

Young Press snapper earns 'Garlands' of praise

Dramatic horse trials pic inspires Fleet Street legend

Reporter lives on just £1 a day

Evening News hack’s mission to survive on bare minimum

New editor leaps at challenges of the job

Herts news chief shows high support for the community

Two new regional editors for press watchdog

New industry representatives appointed to PCC

Daily's bid to raise £200,000 for cancer charity

Plans to double number of nursing hours in North West

Should local papers have led on Jackson’s death?

The sight of regional papers splashing on national and international news always generates a fair amount of debate among journalists. For many, who see localness as our unique selling point, following the national news agenda is something that goes against

PA Sport undergoes rebrand

New name and website for sports wire service

Strike action ballot at Trinity titles

NUJ members concerned over possible axing of papers

Ex-regional journalist launches new website project

Three-year dream comes to fruition with news site

Awards open for maritime journalists

Annual celebration of best naval journalism

Mourners' photo sparks reader distress

Plus: Inaccurate arson caption and more resolved cases from the PCC

Cricket-loving journalist retires after 50 years

Tony Mustard served Sussex for most of his career

Discounted workshops for 21st century journalism

Multi-platform training for modern-day reporter

Family courts duck under media radar

How reporters’ new access could be side-stepped

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.