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August 2009 News

Going away from the grape

Scenes of young, sophisticated types enjoying a glass of Chablis as they put the world to rights may be becoming a thing of the past. Research suggests that the 25 to 34 age range are deserting the grape, leading to

Olympic experience for would-be sports journalists

University launches new degree in run-up to 2012

Paid-for content: Will the regionals follow suit?

Much excitement in Medialand today about Rupert Murdoch’s announcement that, from next summer, he will charge people to read his newspapers’ websites. Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford reckons it could herald a new ‘Murdoch Revolution’ 23 years on from the

Royals reporter returns to old stamping ground

Local legend signs up for new football season

Positive press campaign wins national plaudits

Archant’s Kids Are Alright up for two Justice Awards

Readers force U-turn over planning lists

Complaints mean council could reinstate applications in newspapers

BoJo pledges to fight growth of council newspapers

News chiefs discuss issues affecting local press in capital

Newspaper publisher buys Friends Reunited

ITV sells off troubled website for £25m

Council newsletter editions axed as backlash grows

Authority to save over £292,000 but reducing publication

Press watchdog to undergo major review

Commission to look at its own transparency and structure

Home town editor retires after four decades

Mayoral reception for outgoing news chief

Hugh Grant backs paper's £200,000 charity mission

Plus: Printing move for North West dailies and more news in brief

New MD for weekly newspaper publisher

Assistant steps up after retirement of long-serving boss

How a regional daily helped catch a bomber

Blackmailer caught after title carried coded messages from police

Paper loses legal bid to hear key council debate

Shut out as cabinet decides to demolish historic bridge

Football special scrapped ahead of new season

Resources to be concentrated on Pink ‘Un website

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.