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March 2009 News

Archant to merge South West departments

Five jobs could be lost in Devon reshuffle

Echo exposes school governor's criminal past

Investigation uncovers illegal cigarettes and sofas

Reading Evening Post to go twice-weekly

Up to 95 posts could go in Surrey and Berkshire

Profits fall by 28pc at Johnston Press

Ad revenue down but digital continues to grow

Compulsory redundancies 'unavoidable' at MEN Media

Shared content for titles as company outlines the future

Up to 150 jobs could go at MEN Media

District offices also under threat in major shake-up

Archant journalists say redundancy process is 'farce'

NUJ chapel’s lobby plans to fight redundancies

Editorial director on gardening leave

News follows redundancy announcement at KM Group

Newspaper publisher 'goes into administration'

Observer Standard Newspapers reportedly seeks buyer

National newsman turned weekly editor leaves job

Paper ‘was full of celebrity interviews’

Colman named top regional sports writer

Double celebration for Cumbrian Newspapers sports team

Profits down by nearly a third at regional publisher

Archant sees drop in ad revenues but online shows growth

Sixty-year journalism career ends with farewell column

Whalley’s World is no more as popular columnist retires

The Frontline Club

frontlineclub.com/training Whether you are new to journalism or are long established in the profession, the training at the Frontline Club will equip you with the skills you need in a multi media age. From shooting and editing your own video

Sacked Nottingham strikers stage 30-year reunion

Evening Post journalists meet again three decades on

Licensed to kill but no licence to publish

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the profession

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.