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April 2011 News

Post shows its pride in Royal bride

Weekly has its own special take on wedding

BBC chooses replacement for new JP digital head

The BBC has announced the appointment of a replacement for an editor who is leaving to join Johnston Press. It has named its digital journalist Chris Hamilton as the new social media editor for BBC News, who will take up

Guardian to close regional ‘beatblogger’ project

A regional news project launched by the Guardian just over a year ago is set to close because it is unsustainable, it has been announced. The Guardian Local initiative started last March, with three ‘beatbloggers’ – John Baron in Leeds, Hannah

More than 230 journalists ‘made redundant by JP’

Union criticises publisher in letter to shareholders

Weekly ‘refused’ to correct story errors, council claims

Authority says it was forced to contact PCC for apology to be published

Council criticised for selling advertising on website

Authorities should not compete with local papers says NS

More sponsors come on board for regional awards

Retail giant and energy company back local press event

Former Evening News editor dies aged 87

Journalism career interrupted by war service

Regional daily’s building put up for sale

Title looking for smaller home after printing press closure

Take Five: Kevin Ward

Newsquest Wales publisher continues our new series

Website co-founder quits over ‘professional differences’

Site was launched in wake of ‘failures of local journalism”

‘We are trying to save papers’ claim strikers

Union says ideas to boost revenue have ‘fallen on deaf ears’

Departing editor set for Canadian homecoming

News chief returns to roots to lead 10 titles

Union in protest over job losses and edition cutbacks

Branch says quality of titles will be affected

Papers launch £40,000 appeal for stroke centre

Titles aim to hit target in ten weeks

Children to the fore as judges gag the world

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the profession

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.