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July 2009 News

Redundancy spurs ex-editor's dramatic career change

Former news chief aims to help people conquer fears

Stop and search for journalists on vox pop

Terrorism Act cited by PCSOs who demanded to see ID

Strike action vote at Trinity Mirror's Midlands titles

Nearly all NUJ members opt for industrial action

Johnston Press signs up for Jobsite service

Partnership aims to combine local and national exposure

Deputy sports editor loses cancer battle aged 50

Colleagues humbled by popular writer’s fortitude

Council newspaper scrapped after just 11 months

Authority admits magazine ‘wasn’t working’

New role for Herald deputy editor

Harkess joins Scottish economic development body

New editor for regional daily

Deputy steps up after three years at morning title

Three out of four ain’t bad

Congratulations to Oliver Luft who starts work as online news editor at Press Gazette on Monday, joining from Media Guardian. Having previously worked for Journalism.co.uk, he now only needs to come and work for HoldtheFrontPage to complete a full-house of

Are the Tories trying to spin their way into the regional press’s good books?

Earlier this week the Tories made a bit of a splash in some quarters by announcing plans to allow newspaper groups to provide regional TV news using funding top-sliced from the BBC licence fee. It was of course good to

Slow mews day in Lichfield?

We’ve had the one about the town that ran out of custard (see previous post) – now here’s the one about the dead moggie that united a Midlands cathedral town in grief. Well, it is July after all…..

Editor to leave union magazine after two decades

Gopsill prepares for retirement after marathon service

Former newspaper editor launches new career

Media consultancy will offer range of services

North-East photographer's life-saving legacy

Journalist’s death sparked successful health care campaign

Reporter bags brace at masters athletics event

UK title for Archant feature writer

Freedom of Information Act to be extended

Bodies including ACPO could come under Act’s remit

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.