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August 2009 News

Scots launch new sports journalism degree

Centre claims course is first of its kind in Scotland

Deputy editor leaves Home Counties weekly

Peter Davidson moves on from Johnston Press title after eight years

Popular former Archant MD dies aged 47

Cancer strikes boss who advertised himself for work

Being a journalist really can benefit your health

Knowledge gained is never a waste and what journalists write about for their papers may sometimes serve them well in their own lives. So it proved for the health reporter of The Bolton News who has recently been laid up

Local paper publishes more Baby P revelations

Killer lied in bid to enrol on course, reveals weekly

Axed former editor in tribunal ageism claim

Johnston Press subsidiary denies unfair dismissal

Judges decide to withhold Front Page award

Entries showed ‘lack of originality’ says panel

Award nomination for journalist blinded in crash

Writer who overcome adversity shortlisted in new scheme

Students face exam retakes after college blunder

Law paper invalidated by industry training body

That’s enough Enders – Ed

I have blogged before about the American-born media analyst Claire Enders and her prediction that the next four years will see the loss of 650 of the UK’s 1,300 local and regional newspapers. My instinctive reaction to her pronouncements is

Reporter cycles length of UK for meningitis victim

Effort raises £20,000 for boy left limbless by disease

Hampshire daily leads way in EDF Awards shortlist

All the nominations for London and South of England Media Awards

Local and national media name Baby P killers

Mother’s childhood Midlands connection revealed

Could the unaware be made more aware?

Over half the population is unaware that dementia can kill while 70pc wrongly think it is mainly a hereditary illness. The eye-opening stats came out of research conducted by the Alzheimer’s Society which also showed that two-thirds of those surveyed

Sports editor moves on after 43-year career

Football club gains its former writer as press officer

Union members call for new ownership models

Conference to debate call for ‘public debate’

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.