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July 2009 News

Post campaign prompts hit-and-run sentence review

Readers flood Attorney General with stricter term requests

Chronicle helps land Cage for Christmas lights

Hollywood star signs up for festive bonanza

Car giant provides local press cash injection

Honda targets UK-wide audience in new volunteers project

Revenues down 27pc at Northcliffe Media

But drop in advertising income ‘stabilising’

Reader's letter causes grieving family distress

Plus: Scotsman’s Salmon blunder set straight, crash victim clears up inaccurances – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

South Coast daily steps up bid to honour Henry

Campaign relaunched after death of world’s oldest man

Press apology for murder case headline

Plus: Business complains over investigation story, nostalgia inaccuracies clarified – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Newspaper takes worldwide prize for second time

Express and Echo praised for green initiative

Island's journalists win court secrecy battle

Campaign by Evening Post heralds change by magistrates

Herald goes high fashion in catwalk show

Student finds novel way to recycle local paper

Reporter back at work after swine flu

Brother of Archant hack also suffering from virus

Weekly overturns gag in child killer case

Paper ensures that full story of attack can be told

Tribute evening to much-loved press reporter

Friends of Andy Donkersley gather for reunion

Daily revisits blog after website launch delay

NWN Media experiences ‘teething problems’ after redesign

Journalists of future 'to come from richest 25pc'

Milburn commission calls for action on internships

Bursary on offer to journalism students

Plus: Scotsman launches festival website, PCC seeks public member – and more news in brief

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.