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May 2012 News

News International exec to become JP commercial boss

Regional publisher Johnston Press has poached a senior News International executive as its new commercial marketing director. Neil Jones is joining JP chief executive Ashley Highfield’s senior team from his current role as commercial strategy director at NI. In the

PA marks Jubilee by publishing first eBook

Elizabeth II timeline includes 250 rarely seen images

Daily relaunches campaign to find footballers of future

Initiative was major success first time round

Regional daily forces review of manslaughter sentence

Echo wrote to Attorney General over lenient punishment

Accountant admits fraud charges after newspaper sting

Defendant had complained to PCC over privacy invasion

Editor’s shiner sparks successful campaign

Hospital bosses agree to keep ward open 24/7

New midweek title in bid to lure younger readers

Award-winner Knowles to edit new sister paper

Advert fails to bow-el them over

This box advert can be seen in the slot next to the masthead in the current edition of the Gloucestershire Gazette, but the ‘taster session’ doesn’t seem very appetising to us…

Teams needed to help raise £10k in journalist’s memory

Boat race will be held next month

Journalism has become ‘socially exclusive’ says Milburn

Former minister in call to widen access to profession

Editor and two deputies axed in new Yorkshire shake-up

More changes announced at strike-hit division

Weekly helps double sentences for child rapists

Newspaper praised by Attorney General

Subscriptions set to rise, NUJ warns members

Leaders of the National Union of Journalists have warned members that subscriptions will have rise to address a financial crisis facing the union. Last week it emerged that the union needs to cut costs by £400,000, equivalent to the loss

Newspapers fail in hospital review bid

Weekly titles had launched care campaign

Fire arrests prompt third late special for Midlands daily

The Derby Telegraph printed its third special edition in the space of a month today as two people were arrested over a fatal house fire in the city that killed six children. A 55-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman –

Keep talking to local media, Leveson tells police

New rules on gifts ‘will not have chillling effect’

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.