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May 2008 News

Photographers beware of growing privacy laws

Harry Potter author ruling could spell new age of litigation over newspaper pictures of children

Adrian Sudbury: Diary of my leukaemia battle

Huddersfield Daily Examiner reporter writes in detail about his fight with the killer disease

Harmsworth Printing wins MK News contract

Award-winning title now printed in Derby

Networking online is the next challenge for Evening Chronicle

Facebook presence follows on from YouTube and blogging channels

Missing girl is found after postman recognises her from newspaper and web coverage

13-year-old back safe and well with her family

Reporter's dying mission backed by sister newspaper titles across the UK

Trinity Mirror papers unite to boost donor awareness fight by one of their reporters

Regional reporter highly commended at mental health journalism awards

Anne Fitzgerald beats national press writers in Mind annual award scheme

Newspaper execs to be grilled by Lords' committee

Sly Bailey and Lord Rothermere to give evidence in inquiry over media ownership

SAS soldier named as Hereford Times beats court ID ban

Original naming ban was challenged as unlawful

Meet Kate – the Grimsby Telegraph's latest recruit… virtually speaking

Kate Carter is no ordinary reporter

Newsquest 'astonishment' at planned five-day strike by journalists

Company believes its offer is looking “increasingly attractive”

Blue déjà vu for News readers

Portsmouth’s daily marks Pompey’s return to Wembley with a very blue look and fund-raising mission

Chronicle series of newspapers to pull out of district offices

Editorial staff on Express and Star’s sister titles will join up at head office

Footy fans rampage film on newspaper website

MEN asks ‘What went wrong?’ after night of trouble, new member of Press Complaints Commission and more news in brief

Press photographer dies aged 56

Eldon Johnson worked for many titles in his native Eastbourne

Journalist's "months to live" fear as relapse takes hold

Big decision on chemotherapy versus quality of life holds key

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.