AddThis SmartLayers

January 2013 News

Regulation must pay heed to local press says minister

Culture Secretary Maria Miller has highlighted the potential impact on the local press of new plans for press regulation. Ministers are currently considering how to implement Lord Justice Leveson’s report which called for a new system of industry self-regulation underpinned

Online launch for regional publisher’s TV channel

Move comes ahead of broadcast on digital TV later this year

Ex-BBC man to be head of video for Johnston Press

Former broadcasting journalist will help boost video output

Weekly joins forces with uni to launch journalism site

Students could see stories published in newspaper

Regional Press Awards to open for entries next week

May event will celebrate the best of UK regional newspapers

Fergie leads tributes to renowned sports editor

Journalist covered 14 World Cups for regional daily

Editor moves to new role in ‘transformation team’

Acting editor chosen for daily-turned-weekly title

Welsh backlash over plans for generic features

Trinity Mirror under fire over standardised content proposals

Council delays decision on ‘right to Tweet’

Journalists have to ask chair’s permission to use social media

North West daily gets once-in-a-decade revamp

Move sees increase in number of news pages

Regional daily’s winter campaign raises £80k

Initiative will help vulnerable people pay their heating bills

Trinity Mirror set to axe 92 regional jobs in content-sharing move

Publisher announces plan for closer co-operation between regional and nationals

Geere’s Ugandan adventure ends amid ‘Gay Bill’ row

Former editor’s teaching contract cancelled

Satchwell quizzes Evans over support for press law

Legendary editor under fire over pro-Leveson speech

Former JP editor bounces back with magazine launch

Journalist married fellow former JP editor after leaving role

Scottish daily scoops six prizes at company awards

The Edinburgh Evening News is celebrating after winning six of the prizes on offer in a company awards scheme. Publisher Johnston Press has introduced a new in-house awards scheme for its 26 Scottish titles which also include The Scotsman and

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.