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November 2009 News

Photo prize offering £2,500 opens for entries

Plus: New football magazine launched and more news in brief

Celebrity lots at Evening Post fundraising auction

£500,000 target comes closer for new cancer centre

Prince William backs local newspaper campaign

Project launched in memory of fighter pilot

Paper barred after refusing to sign police guarantee

Indemnity form made “unreasonable demands” say Newsquest

Cutbacks have saved £50m says regional publisher

Decline in ad spend continues to slow at Johnston Press

Fight to stop secret inquest plan goes on

MPs vote to back measure despite Labour rebellion

Rapist named after paper overturns reporting gag

Editor’s letter persaudes judge to alter ruling

Editor dines out on culinary contest

Three dinners in three days for Cambridgeshire news chief

Student newspaper recognised in US press awards

Midlands title first from UK after taking runner-up spot

Journalism students launch hyperlocal news site

Central Birmingham to be covered by masters students

Press photographer wins top landscape prize

Fell race pic earns plaudits for Herald snapper

Watchdog investigates NCTJ over exam gaffe

Students sit same exam paper twice in one year

Are local newspapers worth saving?

Most HoldtheFrontPage readers would say yes, of course. But here’s an opposing view from the Guardian columnist George Monbiot.

A cautionary tale about cautions

Tens of thousands of criminals are receiving several cautions a year. And new figures suggest that, during 2008, 3,013 got four or more cautions in a single year while in general there’s a rise in the number of people receiving

Shorthand pass rate up says training body

Numbers taking exam rise for third successive year

Lites out on newspaper as freesheet battle ends

Publisher confirms final edition date for capital daily

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.