Comments on: Editors call for cut in number of journalism courses http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/ The home of UK regional journalism news and jobs Fri, 17 May 2013 14:55:35 +0000 hourly 1 By: Percy Hoskins http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/#comment-37787 Percy Hoskins Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:57:51 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1635834#comment-37787 If the NCTJ was being serious about ethical journalism perhaps they should cut the number of courses which are wasting too many people's time and money. And consider the following: 1. Half of the editors who responded thought journalism training was no better than “fine” and 5% thought it was not good. Many editors said 100 wpm shorthand should be compulsory. They rated news sense, interviewing, media law and news writing as the other key skills. 2. Half the trainees said they had received either no or inadequate, preparation for job interviews. Only a quarter felt confident when they went for a job interview. 3. Responding to the survey, NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said journalism ethics would be brought “centre stage” in the curriculum in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry: “Following recent research and much soul searching, we have concluded that far greater emphasis must be placed on ethics in the industry’s journalism training and qualifications.” Now I've not seen the full report but precisely how many editors - yunno the people who actually occasionally have jobs to offer - said that what they really wanted was more ethics on the curriculum? People are coming out with 1st class degrees in journalism who can't write intros, don't have shorthand and have no idea how to do a door knock. Perhaps that is what should come centre stage and stop trying - and failing - to turn this trade into a low rent profession. If the NCTJ was being serious about ethical journalism perhaps they should cut the number of courses which are wasting too many people’s time and money.

And consider the following:

1. Half of the editors who responded thought journalism training was no better than “fine” and 5% thought it was not good. Many editors said 100 wpm shorthand should be compulsory. They rated news sense, interviewing, media law and news writing as the other key skills.

2. Half the trainees said they had received either no or inadequate, preparation for job interviews. Only a quarter felt confident when they went for a job interview.

3. Responding to the survey, NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said journalism ethics would be brought “centre stage” in the curriculum in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry: “Following recent research and much soul searching, we have concluded that far greater emphasis must be placed on ethics in the industry’s journalism training and qualifications.”

Now I’ve not seen the full report but precisely how many editors – yunno the people who actually occasionally have jobs to offer – said that what they really wanted was more ethics on the curriculum?

People are coming out with 1st class degrees in journalism who can’t write intros, don’t have shorthand and have no idea how to do a door knock.

Perhaps that is what should come centre stage and stop trying – and failing – to turn this trade into a low rent profession.

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]]> By: Mike Cooper http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/#comment-37270 Mike Cooper Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:46:51 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1635834#comment-37270 It has taken the editors a very long time to wake up to the fact that there is a vast over-supply of would-be journalists. This was obvious to me, a mere former sub, five years ago. That was when the wholesale cull of jobs began. While it doubtless pleases the accountants to be able to employ the lucky few on pittance pay, it is doing the innocents who thought that they would be properly rewarded for their years of study no good at all. In fact, it is cruel to lure them on to a course when many stand no chance of a job at the end of it. With even the BBC cutting back, what hope do these bright young graduates have? A McBurger job awaits them... It has taken the editors a very long time to wake up to the fact that there is a vast over-supply of would-be journalists. This was obvious to me, a mere former sub, five years ago. That was when the wholesale cull of jobs began.

While it doubtless pleases the accountants to be able to employ the lucky few on pittance pay, it is doing the innocents who thought that they would be properly rewarded for their years of study no good at all. In fact, it is cruel to lure them on to a course when many stand no chance of a job at the end of it.

With even the BBC cutting back, what hope do these bright young graduates have? A McBurger job awaits them…

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]]> By: Brian http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/#comment-37262 Brian Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:20:08 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1635834#comment-37262 The elephant in the room finally speaks - loudly. This article will provoke a lot of staring at shoes and shuffling uncomfortably. Well said Joanne. PS that's a metaphoric elephant!!! The elephant in the room finally speaks – loudly. This article will provoke a lot of staring at shoes and shuffling uncomfortably. Well said Joanne.
PS that’s a metaphoric elephant!!!

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]]> By: Chris Youett http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/#comment-37241 Chris Youett Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:36:23 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1635834#comment-37241 Universities have been producing three or four times the numbers of graduates that employers have jobs for since the late 1950s. Regarding the quality of education given on these courses, this is something that the NUJ and NCTJ has been watching for over half a Century. So well done to Joanne - and the council needs to take a much-tougher stance on quality standards in the higher education sector. This will mean withdrawing council endorsement of a lot of courses. Universities have been producing three or four times the numbers of graduates that employers have jobs for since the late 1950s. Regarding the quality of education given on these courses, this is something that the NUJ and NCTJ has been watching for over half a Century. So well done to Joanne – and the council needs to take a much-tougher stance on quality standards in the higher education sector. This will mean withdrawing council endorsement of a lot of courses.

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]]> By: Alistair Forbes http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2012/news/editors-call-for-cut-in-number-of-journalism-courses/#comment-37191 Alistair Forbes Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:12:03 +0000 http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/?p=1635834#comment-37191 An excellent way forward, well done NCTJ for continuing the proactive approach to help students achieve the standards necessary to secure a future in the industry. Well done Joanne. An excellent way forward, well done NCTJ for continuing the proactive approach to help students achieve the standards necessary to secure a future in the industry. Well done Joanne.

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