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March 2009 News

News reporters to be spared in Norfolk jobs cull

More than a third of non-reporting staff to go

Hack who 'monstered' Hillary in line for two awards

Peev shortlisted in Scottish journalism celebration

Editor who took Miss World home dies aged 81

Reg Cusdin spent 21 years with Middlesex Chronicle

Paper helps readers put top Tory on the spot

Osborne asked about custard-pie throwing

More than 50 journalists' jobs to go in Norfolk

Company to axe more than a quarter of workforce

Jobs saved at Shropshire titles claims union

Plan for compulsory redundancies scrapped

Papers set to close in centralised subbing plans

More jobs under threat at Northcliffe weeklies

Codebook updates suicide reporting guidelines

New edition of Editor’s Code of Practice out today

Rugby star who became 'doyen of local journalism'

Tributes to scrum half turned reporter who has died aged 94

Prestigious shortlisting for Herald photographer

Plus: Freelancer’s new war hero book, recession campaigns – and more news in brief

Former news editor does something funny for money

Comedy project taps into Twitter to raise charity cash

Father's distress over paramedic's inquest quote

Plus: Apology over horse sale story – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Evening News corrects morning-after pill story

Plus: Bolton News accused of privacy breach – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Giving back to the community

Community orders, often used by magistrates as an alternative to prison, are laughed at by offenders and seen as a soft option. A study by Kings College Centre for Crime and Justice Studies says the orders, introduced four years ago,

Teenage arsonist named after paper overturns gag

School was completely destroyed in blaze

Minimum price for your merlot or Martini

Binge drinking and alcoholism is always hitting the headlines, particularly when it involves teenagers and young adults. In a bid to combat the problem, Scottish ministers have announced they want to set a minimum price for booze to stop it

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.