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April 2009 News

Spring 2009 NCE: Logbook

LOGBOOK 155 candidates 148 passed Overall there were no major trends with the logbooks from this session but there are some key points which should be made both to trainees and their trainers before they submit their logbooks in future.

Spring 2009 NCE: Newspaper Practice

NEWSPAPER PRACTICE 203 candidates 144 passed Candidates’ performance on the newspaper practice paper was generally good, although there were fewer high passes than on previous sittings. These candidates who achieved excellent marks had produced some very impressive papers. As usual,

Spring 2009 NCE: News Report

NEWS REPORT 214 candidates 114 passed The first archaeological dig in 100 years at an ancient stone circle formed the basis for the March 2009 news report. Candidates were given briefing notes setting the scene – a mysterious stone circle

Spring 2009 NCE: News Interview

NEWS INTERVIEW 200 candidates 132 passed The March 2009 NCE news interview was a story about a suspected arson attack which destroyed specialist boating equipment used by disabled and terminally ill children. Candidates were asked to write the story for

Almost half of trainees pass latest NCE

Highest entry for two years expected to drop

Cash and plaudits for newly-qualified senior reporters

Find out who took £250 and the examiners’ awards in the spring NCE

Total ad revenues fall at Newsquest

US parent company reports 60pc slump in property adverts

Bill could allow local media mergers

Reports suggest new legislation governing local publishers

'Power of the press' prevents more pothole protests

Herald story going national prompts highways action

Newsquest launches hyperlocal websites

Seven Midlands titles to tap into community correspondents

Journalism student crowned Martin Wills winner

Record entries for equine writing award

Photographer assaulted outside court

Jail term for man who attacked press photographer

Gun raid photo prompts reader complaint

Plus – reader’s letter mistakenly edited and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Conference for experimenters in journalism

Plus: new lifestyle website, university wins communications award – and more news in brief

Former editor to study decline of regional newspapers

Neil Fowler awarded Oxford research fellowship

Runaway fugitive apologises on newspaper's website

Wanted man says sorry for three-hour police stand-off

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.