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August 2009 News

Forty journalists' jobs to go as freesheet war ends

Murdoch announces closure of London title

NS in call for talks over council newspapers

Society raises fresh concerns with ministers

Drunk drivers named and shamed in new campaign

Telegraph relaunches long-running bid to cut drink-driving

Regional publishers to launch new property site

Home portal will seek to challenge Rightmove

Reporter's ideas appeal for Fourth Plinth appearance

Free Press journalist to take part in One and Other project

Cricketer's column yields Ashes scoop for Post

Trescothick uses local paper to end selection speculation

Reader's complaint over racist abuse 'tirade' story

Plus: False impression in foreign workers story, inaccurate arrest report – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

Evening News campaign to honour dead fireman

Fight to secure Queen’s Gallantry Medal

Charity donation after escaped mental patient story

Plus: Inaccurate inquest report, unemployment figures questioned – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

'Boozy' reunion planned for Welsh weekly

Call for more old colleagues to get in touch

Wordsworth's old paper resizes after 191 years

Compact Gazette will be ‘easier to read and navigate’

Campaigning editor Evans publishes autobiography

Life and times of Sir Harold told in new book

Meet The Squirrelizer

Continuing our silly season theme, it seems that the now-famous photo of an American couple on holiday in Canada has turned it into ‘Squirrel Season’. For those of you still unaware of what I’m talking about, check out one of

A good response

Susan Greenwood Twitters that a recent advert for a trainee reporter on the Yorkshire Post garnered no fewer than 262 applications. It’s probably indicative of the state of the jobs market in the regional press over recent months, but for

You can tell it’s August….

After more than 20 years in journalism I’m not sure whether I still believe in the idea of a ‘silly season’ when it comes to news. The fact is, as has been highlighted both on HTFP and on this blog

Election could see influx of journalists-turned-MPs

Tories put their trust in hacks as parties gear up for 2010

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.