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December 2008 News

Call for entries to sports journalism awards

Dust down cuttings for annual sports reporting celebration

Clamping down on abuse….and parking!

The problem of private (and often unlicensed) clamping firms wielding their expensive axe often makes the headlines. But it seems there’s even more potential misery on the way for drivers unfortunate enough to be hit. The temptation to vent your

Publisher accused of abandoning communities

NUJ hits out at Newsquest over closure plans

Weekly newspaper team to switch offices

Bury staff could be moved to sister centre

Free magazine picks up plain English prize

Salford Star praised for campaigns and narrative

Eleven newspapers under closure threat

Newsquest announces major shake-up and restructure

New group editor for North-West weeklies

Andrew Edwards takes key editorial role

Print jobs at risk as Newsquest cutbacks continue

Consultation on-going over £17m plant shut down plan

Jobs to go at West Wales titles claims union

Newsquest to shut district office says NUJ

Regional editors not out of touch says Dyson

Birmingham boss hits out at “London-centric” comments

Reporters overturn name gag on binge drinking parents

PA and Mansfield Chad able to name and shame couple

Ex-pat journalists' success story goes on and on

Former regional hacks celebrate latest sales rise

Weekly overturns child sex case gag

Judge says court had no right to conceal sex offender’s address

Journalists hit netball court for life-support appeal

Mail team suffers heavy defeat but moral victory

Newsquest journalists ballot for industrial action

NUJ members hold two votes over possible strike action

Weekly goes tabloid after more than 200 years

Yorkshire broadsheet dated back to 18th century

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.