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June 2008 News

Norfolk paper's campaign attracts over 10,000 signatures

Evening News hosts successful public meeting

PA Ireland implements raft of staff changes

Plus: death of former circulation exec, UCLan gets the vote – and more regional press news

The future is bright: the future is newspapers

World newspaper expert says predictions of the industry’s decline are a “profound mistake”

New awards scheme for next generation of journalists

NCTJ launches inaugural scheme to celebrate best in student and trainee journalism

Union calls for end to police surveillance of journalists

Letter to Home Secretary highlights serious concerns of NUJ about cataloguing of journalists and photographers at demonstrations

Picture Editors Awards cancelled – again

Event that was saved at the last minute in 2007

News man finds himself at centre of street murder drama

First-hand account of horrific stabbing aftermath by weekly newspaper reporter

Citizen journalists flood Post with pictures of camera car's poor parking

Car that issued 2,800 tickets gets a taste of its own medicine thanks to the press

Slice of media firm handed to employees in share give-away

Staff build their stake in the business

Online publication risks drawn into focus by French litigation

High-profile claims against British newspapers re-open debate

Live newspaper experiment comes under digital editors' spotlight

Network of online experts to learn about Daily Post blogging success

The sailor was treated and the boat recovered…

Intriguing headlines – and the truth behind the editors’ phone conference

Press prize double for Glasgow student

Chris Watt takes home a pair at annual Scottish student awards

Former Suffolk sub-editor denies murdering his wife

Raymond Singh’s wife allegedly found in a pool of blood in couple’s Fijian home

Journalist throws down gauntlet in running challenge

Reporters can represent their profession and get fit at the same time

Packing a green punch in the High Street

High Street supermarkets are failing to increase their eco-friendly food packaging. A report by the Local Government Association, which names and shames some big supermarket players, found that 38 per cent of packaging in stores cannot be recycled. Perhaps shops

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.