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November 2007 News

Home Secretary addresses journalists at charity reception

Ambassador hosts event to rally support for Journalists’ Charity

Newspaper columnist pens first crime novel

Joint project wins four-book deal under pen-name ‘Grace Monroe’

Sales boost as Scottish daily fills up newsstands in Spain

Champions League tie brings new market abroad for Evening Times

Weekly uses internet to keep tabs on national breaking story

Print deadlines fail to hold Margate title back from hour by hour updates

Investigative journalist launches book to solve spy death mystery

Latest labour of love for magazine editor Don Hale gives most up-to-date theory

Cash up for grabs in student journalism awards

Challenge is to write a feature based around one of five social goals

South coast editor becomes honorary Doctor of Letters

Neal Butterworth is honoured by Bournemouth University

Regional press news in brief

Plus: Oxford Mail tests trading standards, and more regional press news in brief

Online weekend sports show launched by Midlands newspaper firm

Video bulletins run alongside a text service in popular TV format

Student website revamp for Evening Post initiative

Paper wants to attract the best young journalists studying in the region

PA complaint prompts media relations reminder to courts

South coast courts act after journalists find fault with response to inquiries

Indian journalists sample life in the British media

Scholarship programme takes editorial staff to regionals to find out more

Donny Osmond vs David Cassidy debate racks up reader interest

Online debate goes global as 70s pop heroes prove that they’re still in the groove

Journalism student secures European conference for Lincoln

Prestigious annual conference for journalism trainees to be held in the UK for the first time

Advertiser's video footage brings attacker to court

Suspect sentenced to two years after admitting attacking an off-licence

Tribute Island offers chance to pay respects in a virtual world

Website which hosts tributes to people who have died is venturing into a new arena

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.