AddThis SmartLayers

June 2008 News

Lords call for tighter controls on press takeovers

Committee voices concern at “consolidation” of newspaper ownership

Fresh concerns over BBC's new local video plans

Trinity Mirror is latest company to voice worries over £68m website project

Huge cash prize on offer to budding motoring journalists

Sir William Lyons Award gears up for next generation of Hammonds, Mays and Clarksons

Paper ponders legal bid to block hazardous waste plant

Hundreds of readers back Nuneaton weekly’s campaign against council planning move

Journalist Gordon Brown dies aged 71

Sports-mad reporter and ‘quirky character’ cycled his way through career

World exclusive for Worksop weekly after Entwistle murder verdict

Chief reporter gets final thoughts of family as they depart America for Nottinghamshire

Fitness after pregnancy

Starting a fitness programme is always daunting. But even though it is even tougher with the demands of a small baby, the advice is to make time for fitness after pregnancy. The first stop for fitness advice is the midwife

Carry on camping

More and more people are taking to the fresh countryside air and getting out camping. There’s much more on offer than cold baked beans, collapsed tents and rain, rain, rain. Special holiday deals mean that it’s even possible to go

Breaking bad news

As a journalist there’s a good chance you will have been to interview a recently bereaved reader after a road smash or some other tragedy. It’s never easy and nothing can prepare you for your first “death knock”. But what

Listed buildings

England’s Listed Buildings are immortalised online at: imagesofengland.org.uk. Check out the ones in your region.

Trinity launches 20 new YouTube channels

Sites will provide additional outlet for papers’ web video content

Morning newspaper loses three editions in production shake-up

Northern Echo confirms plans to shed five jobs and create two editions as union members meet

Report hails local media's 'pivotal role' during flood disaster

Review of last summer’s floods praises local media but says lessons can be learned

Newspaper group wins plaudits after cutting fuel use by a fifth

Trinity receives top carbon reduction accolade, NUJ chief heads to Glastonbury, and more journalism news in brief.

Weekly newspaper on stand-by for Entwistle murder trial verdict

Worksop Guardian steels itself for decision in town’s ‘biggest murder trial’

Digital boss who built "Today" network bows out

John steps down from Johnston’s online role after 12 years

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.