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June 2011 News

Former Sheffield Star editor to head Tory press office

Head of media role for former Yorkshire news chief

‘Strip journalists of Commons passes’ says MP

Action urged on reporters who leak announcements

Scottish weekly’s apology over court report

Newspaper will change procedures following complaint

Journalist loses three year battle with cancer

Former weekly editor spent 40 years in the industry

Union takes action over threats to football journalists

Journalists have been targeted over internet

Family-run newspaper goes digital

A family-owned weekly in Cumbria is the lastest to become available in online digital format. The 150-year-old Whitehaven News went digital this week and follows in the footsteps of titles such as the Kent Messenger series. The paper is available

Friday Funnies: No little green men in Cumbria

Plus: Missing jumper in Lancashire and other media funnies

Editor runs front page story on newspaper’s job cuts

News chief makes ‘no apologies’ for keeping readers informed

Schoolboy set to be future journalism star

An aspiring young reporter is to get on the job experience after winning a competition run by the National Council of Journalists. Schoolboy Samuel Entwhistle, 15, will join editorial staff at the award winning News & Star in Cumbria for work

Regional journalists set to quiz Pickles

Local government and communities secretary Eric Pickles is to be quizzed by regional press political editors at a lunch next week. The Cabinet minister, who is the architect of new rules designed to clamp down on council newspapers, will be

Newspaper petition hailed as one of biggest of all time

Society praises regional daily’s heart campaign

Welsh First Minister backs weekly’s pylon battle

News team’s efforts pay off as campaign is backed by Government

Regional daily in libel payout to ex council boss

‘Substantial damages’ paid over fraud claim

Birthday accolades as training body reaches milestone

Industry marks 60 years of the NCTJ

Strike off as Tindle puts headcount reductions on hold

Management have agreed to replace staff

Former regional press reporter dies in car park fall

Tragic death of former daily health specialist

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.