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January 2009 News

Editor's departure brings dynasty to an end

Award-winning reporter also leaves in shake-up

Newspaper gives away job ads to beat downturn

Sunderland Echo galvanises community against recession

Curbing childhood obesity

A new ten-week boot camp-style scheme is being piloted in Wales to tackle the problem of overweight children. The project, called ‘Mend – Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do It!’, will target 2,000 seven to 13-year-olds in the country where it’s believed 20pc

Fancy a holiday? Got £47,000?

It seems one holiday company is determined to laugh in the face of the credit crunch and recession. Tour operator Hayes and Jarvis is offering a 32-day VIP round-the-world trip taking in destinations as far afield as Costa Rice, Egypt

Newspaper donation after 'intrusive' death knock

Family’s complaint over reporter’s conduct, fatal crash coverage ‘omits facts’ – and more resolved cases from the PCC

Former sub-editor goes on trial for murder

Raymond Singh denies stabbing his wife to death

Outgoing editor 'will be asset to local economy'

Nick Carter to start new role in March

Burnham and Balls in moves to help local press

Councils could become only source of news warns NS

Industrial action scrapped at North-West title

Sports reporter saved as two journalists take voluntary redundancy

Filthy kennels close down after Echo investigation

Owner claims decision is not down to reporter’s exposé

Big screen returns after newspaper campaign

New trial movie nights after five years without films

Weeklies merge to form new paid-for title

Medway paper aims to be “reader’s friend”

Editor Nick Carter to leave Leicester Mercury

Long-serving newspaper boss to head economic development initiative

Mail editor departs after seven years

Decision was made before company restucture says Hazeldine

Herald & Times could turn down redundancy requests

Process nears end as interviews start in Glasgow

Up to 49 subs' jobs set to go in Midlands

Johnston Press looks to centralise production at three sites

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.