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July 2008 News

Readers raise £60,000 to help save critically-ill youngster

Paper in forefront of highlighting baby Katie’s plight

Journalists' union picks new deputy general secretary

Michelle Stanistreet pools well over half the votes to take up senior role

Green accolade for Lakeland title

Westmorland Gazette hailed as environmental champion.

Football journalist scores new role in PR

Andy Neild has netted a new job….but will still retain links with club he covered for eight years

Food for thought on journalism graduate's new website

Chris hopes plentyonyourplate.com is a recipe for success

Society launches two new prizes in its annual awards

Newspaper bloggers and digital teams can now join in the celebration

Journalism News Digest: A troubled week for Trinity

All the stories that have been making the news this week on HoldtheFrontPage

Trinity-Johnston merger is "speculative gossip" say bosses

City broker suggests troubled publishers should join forces

Calling councils to account

As summer, the inevitable dry season for news stories, approaches journalists could do worse than head down to their local town hall. Every year councils are required by law to display their accounts for four weeks for inspection. While it

Regional paper celebrates rugby appeal success

Coventry Telegraph helps kick city’s rugby club into next season

Journalists' union launches anti-bullying handbook

NUJ’s book focuses on workplace intimidation, Dorset Echo begins hunt for new editor and more news in brief

'Green light' for police surveillance of journalists and photographers

Home Secretary’s view raises concerns over ‘unacceptable restrictions’ of media covering public events

Work experience

Work experience for youngsters can be hit and miss. Which firms in your area ensure that all students on placement get the same level of experience and information? Do they merely shadow someone for a week – and get the

New photography chief for journalism training body

Steve Phillips is new chairman as NCTJ’s announces four additions to its photography board

Dads and work

Is it possible to be a good father and still maintain a high-flying career? Women have to face a juggling act between work and their children. But it can be just as hard on dads who may miss out on

Texting from your hols

Text messaging is apparently replacing the traditional holiday postcard. When we go away we’re more likely to text the folks back home than drop them a line on the back of a sea view. Mobile phone shops are getting more

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.