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August 2009 News

Credit where credit’s due

Will Green, my successor-but-one as political editor of The Journal, scored a notable exclusive by persuading Minister for the North-East and Labour Chief Whip Nick Brown to go on the record with his thoughts about Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

Archant's Flintoffs suffer cricket match defeat

Charity the winner as fundraiser collects over £1,100

Former daily editor bows out after 37 years

Kent newspaperman edited now-defunct titles

Media law plays 'catch up' with Google ruling

Plus: bleak position for science writer in a fortnightly law round-up

Retired telegraphist dies after 100th birthday

Eddie Wickes spent half a century with Hampshire daily

Wartime exploits of reporter-cum-ventriloquist

Comedy duo to give last-ever performance

Newsquest makes 4m more stories available online

Extensive archive launched as part of revamp

Features editor to study newspapers' use of video

Film pioneer to launch new research project

Archant revenues down by almost 25pc

Company results show £14.8m of cuts made this year

World's first 'virtual newspaper stand' goes live

Users will be able to search 5,000 digital editions

Tributes to stalwart of composing room

Plus: Web record for Evening Post and more news in brief

North-East awards to be scaled down

Changes ‘reflect state of industry’ say organisers

Chief reporter gears up for Great North Run

Newsman hopes to raise £1,000 for premature baby charity

Is Digital Britain turning into a dog’s breakfast?

After some confusion as to whether Sion Simon or Stephen Timms would be taking over the Digital Britain brief from the now-departed Lord Carter, Downing Street has now ruled in favour of Mr Timms. But anyone expecting any degree of

Economic cycle comes to an end for Post legend

City man bows out after 36 years of ‘sterling’ service

New Digital Britain boss to report to Mandelson

Timms to take charge of online strategy

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.