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November 2007 News

Post and Echo unveil new-look sites in first stage of Trinity Mirror overhaul

Upgrade allows users to drive the news agenda and follows extensive user-testing

Journalist's Born Again Blog gives insight into life as a Christian

Balancing act for Echo assistant sports editor as he lives with an unusual work/life combination

Freak twister makes front page pic for ET

Fifty photos of weather phenomenon published as readers’ pictures flood in

Headteacher's death prompts 'unprecedented' online response

Evening Telegraph readers rush to pay tribute to local man via the web

Scottish publisher increases frequency of titles on back of successful year

Two Scottish titles to switch from monthly to weekly print runs

Tourism put under the spotlight by seaside newspaper's survey

‘Season in the Spotlight’ survey reveals the truth about Blackpool’s biggest industry

Benefit cheat rumbled after featuring himself in press during official probe

Fraudster who illegally claimed £65,000 of benefits was caught out when he appeared in his local weekly

Record traffic for paper's website as football club manager quits

Web first news boosts print title as story is posted to football fan sites

New team member in fight to keep city's streets free of waste newspapers

Branded bike and trailer to help sweep up discarded free titles

New website is launched by former business editor

Former Mail and Telegraph man uses regional press knowledge to create TheBusinessDesk.com

Grantham journalist John Pinchbeck sets sights on relaxing retirement

Man who came into the business late has spent past three months compiling books for Journal

Reporter turfs out gardening career to become award winner

Richard doesn’t let the grass grow as he blossoms into successful new career

'Sub-inflation' pay rises spark Mercury vote on strike action

Vote is designed to bring company back to the bargaining table at Midlands title

Regional press news in brief

Plus: Why Calzaghe’s bout was good news for the Argus – and more regional press news in brief

Record profits announced by Northcliffe owners DMGT – up 11%

Results reflect strong growth in business-to-business operations, and out-performance of the market

Editors from across the world to join study tour in north-west England

World Editors Forum to tour university and local newspaper during five-day event

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.