AddThis SmartLayers

June 2009 News

Fresh row erupts over council newspaper plan

Tory-led authority presses ahead despite inquiry

The bear facts

Earlier this week, HTFP featured the preliminary results of a survey being carried out by a postgraduate student into the changing nature of press releases. Its key finding was that journalists regard most of the PR material they get sent

Essential law editor retires after 35 years

Long stint on industry examination board comes to an end

Sex pest named after paper overturns ban

Reporter challenges magistrates’ ruling

Football writer cleared of assaulting fellow hack

Judge quashes case involving Northern Echo writer

Most PR material 'irrelevant' say journalists

Hacks admit to lying to get press officers off the phone

Journalists draw up blueprint to boost titles

Trinity Mirror bosses welcome staff move

Snakes and ladders

An interesting little parable on the ups and downs of football and journalism comes from Lee Ryder, sports writer and author of blogonthetyne.co.uk A few years back Lee spotted an ad on HTFP for a sports reporter at the Scunthorpe

Cumbrian publisher sweeps board at regional awards

Bumper day for CN Group as Post and Echo also triumph

Regional reporters take on BBC in journalism awards

Prizes celebrates best in health reporting

Talking newspaper celebrates landmark birthday

Plus: comedy benefit gig for journalism, NCTJ comms chief moves on – and more news in brief

MPs to hold public meeting on industry's future

Commons inquiry into local news to continue

Sales manager brings in hat-trick of scoops

‘No-one knows Norwich like Merv’ says editor

Echo fights to save hospital burns units

Fear of brain drain from ‘world class’ centres

Mercury crowned Midlands' best again

See the winners from last night’s Midlands Media Awards

North publisher sells off Midlands radio outlets

Group moves to consolidate operations on core patch

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.