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January 2008 News

New category helps Cordner 2008 awards to move with the times

The Cordner North East Press Awards mark their 30th year of activity in 2008 with a refreshed line-up

First run sells out for Echo celebration of the local coastline

Book from the Bournemouth Daily Echo and Dorset Echo proved so popular it sold out in days

Have you got a licence for that, sir?

Are people running scared from the TV licensing officers in your town? They are always on the lookout for licence-dodgers. It’s easy for them to spot those who transgress – they can even tell which channel you’re watching. Contact TV

Newspaper's scoop plays vital role in crown court case

Ex-reporter “called Advertiser from Spain” to explain fair trial fears

Latest offer in Newsquest centre's pay dispute is thrown out by paper's staff

Meeting voted 18-1 against accepting the three per cent pay increase

Politicians back newspaper's call for open justice over Asbo youth

Court banned The Argus from naming teenager, after previously agreeing his identity could be published

Archant news man helps talking paper celebrate major milestone

Deputy editor has been a volunteer converting newspaper stories into audio

Newspaper campaigners visit No 10 to fight post office closures

The Press has sent a delegation to Downing Street to present a petition to Gordon Brown

Recruitment drive rallies Welsh membership of the NUJ

Recognition the next step as principality is only area of UK to see membership grow

Give-away copies of local newspapers to be included in new ABC totals

ABC says move was a result of industry pressure to reflect the variety of distribution channels

Tributes flood in as ex-showbiz editor dies aged 59

Journalist was captured and tortured in his early career before settling down to cover TV and the arts

First entries arrive for 'dictionary of journalism'

Check out the latest candidates for a translation from journalese

February date for new Liverpool business mag

Launch will include an online social networking forum for the Merseyside business community

Westminster journalists gear up for annual meet

New chairman of The Newspaper Conference is set to take up his post

Brussels and Africa trips on offer in student journalism contest

‘Access to Asylum’ theme for writing competition

Irish publisher hits out at report on Welsh language paper

“No guarantee of success” claim could stifle progress, according to Lá Nua man

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.