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July 2008 News

Waiting games

Can you name the Seven Dwarves? Or all the children from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? You’d be surprised at how you pass the time when there’s a delay at the airport. Holiday makers have been facing delays recently because

Flying the flag

Is your MP backing Britain? A straw poll of what car they drive might give you an idea. And your local authority… or tax office? Which manufacturer do they use for their fleet cars or vans? Is it good business

Unidentified Headline 5

An experienced former regional press editor is returning to day-to-day journalism as the co-editor of North East Life, one of Archant’s stable of lifestyle magazines. Andrew Smith has previously edited no fewer than four daily newspapers, the Northern Echo, Bolton

Lifestyle switch for experienced former editor

Ex Northern Echo boss to co-edit North East Life

Blog from the baths as Shuttle signs up Olympic swimmer

Weekly newspaper gets the prospects from the poolside from local boy turned Olympic swimming hopeful

'Stark implications' of Mosley privacy judgment

Verdict is blow to press freedom says HTFP legal expert

Final weeks for dying leukaemia reporter

Adrian Sudbury says he may only have two weeks to live after giving up drug treatment

Legendary sports journalist Bob Crampsey dies aged 78

Former Brain of Britain and Mastermind contestant loses battle with Parkinson’s disease

Weston weeklies have busy morning of hot news

Pier blaze gives reporters a most unexpected start to the week

Where there's muck…..

What happens to all the rubbish in your town centre on a Saturday night? It’s all gone by Sunday morning but who are the mysterious squads that keep the streets clean? Get out there among the pigeons, bottles and chip

Racial Council complaint over newspaper's gypsy story

Chronicle and Echo says it didn’t mean to mislead, judge complains over Evening Standard approach – and more cases from the PCC

Who has the freedom of your city?

South coast footy fans are calling for Portsmouth FC’s FA Cup winning team to be given the freedom of the city. At the very least, manager Harry Redknapp should get it, some are saying. With it come some special, and

High-speed police footage on newspaper website

Evening Post shows dangers of fast driving after local man is banned

Deputy editor's private audience with Prince Charles

Tamworth Herald newsman shows royal couple around important World War II exhibition

Bill waves bye bye to Press after 46-year career

Deputy editor calls time on career to start new PR and photography venture

Trinity Mirror shares boost after buy-out speculation

Newspaper publisher’s shares see spike amid Indian take-over talk

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.