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November 2008 News

Thirty jobs to go at North West publisher

CN Group becomes latest to announce pay freeze and jobs cull

Rookie reporter beats boss to newspaper prize

Young journalist praised for “amazing array of stories”

Community award for long-serving editor

Joe hailed as “leading champion of endless local causes”

Work-to-rule strike action at Scottish centre

Union concerned over rising levels of stress at Glasgow centre

Former editor and Guild president dies aged 78

Three decades with same paper capped long career in local press

Beating the gambling bug

The first NHS clinic for compulsive gamblers has been launched in London. Running for a 12-month trial period, the National Problem Gambling Clinic will use motivational interviewing and behavioural therapy techniques alongside debt management. More than 250,000 people in the

Fit for (some) work

The traditional sick note is set to be replaced by a new ‘fit note’ under new proposals announced by the government. GPs will be able indicate that someone is able to carry out some work with employers assessing if someone’s

WI set to name and shame papers with sex ads

Women’s Institute members to keep an eye on local press classifieds

Editors and MD to compete for single job

York newspaper bosses issued with redundancy notices

Journalist's book celebrates county's seafaring past

Night editor Mark’s tribute to “Norfolk’s great mariners”

Ten jobs to go on channel island daily

Guernsey paper to shed staff but Jersey sister title escapes cull

South-West daily set to axe sub-editors

Consultation under way over editorial redundancies in Devon

Widow's complaint over suicide report details

Echo’s regret over inquest distress, charity event was no ‘rave’ – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

TV award for journalist turned Corrie writer

Soap writer bags script prize, Nick Robinson to address charity service – and more news in brief

Ex-reporter who moved into PR dies aged 54

Former Chester Chronicle journalist launched council publications

Crime victims and their compensation

Thousands of victims of violent crime are missing out on compensation, a committee of MPs has claimed. Apparently, only one in 20 victims apply for the compensation while just one in three is even aware they might be due some

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.