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July 2009 News

Ex-Trinity Mirror boss in Midlands comeback

Steve Brown to take over Express & Star parent company

Publisher silent on 'shares for lenders' rumour

Johnston Press debt discussions continue

Long-serving MD retires after 35 years

Publisher bids farewell to ‘great ambassador’

Reporter heads east for Beijing assignment

Plus: Editor takes trip down memory lane, Mail hosts legends charity dinner – and more news in brief

Comedian chronicles oddball tales from local press

New book features weird and wonderful stories

PA drafts in news reporters for Olympic build-up

News agency unveils line-up as 2012 coverage increases

Family courts access hit by privacy arguments

Interpretation shows no guarantee of free reporting

You are the strongest link…..goodbye!

Times are tough in the regional press and it’s a constant gripe among the rank and file that wages are low. So no-one can blame Salford Advertiser reporter Pamela Welsh for trying her hand at winning some extra PIN money

Daily's footy ban lifted ahead of new season

News can bring fans the news again from Fratton Park

Campaign wins increased payouts for pensioners

Daily celebrates plea to old folk to claim what’s theirs

Mail appeal brings out local for returning soldiers

Over 30,000 respond to plea to support military parade

Midlands journalists to hold one-day strike

Protest against job cuts to take place next week

Midlands journalists to hold one-day strike

Protest against job cuts to take place next week

Paper goes green for eco-festival weekend

Free press supplement will double as official programme

Evening paper news editor gets two black eyes

But it’s all in a good cause for Jersey newsman

Friday Funnies: Perils of misplaced photos

The MP you thought you knew and more media funnies

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.