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January 2010 News

Ex-editor still going strong after 65 years

Is Tony Langmack Britain’s longest-serving journalist?

Abolition of criminal libel is welcome milestone

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the profession

Early day motion calls for end to FoI loophole

Plus: Press ball tickets now on sale and more news in brief

Haiti assignment for former local press photographer

More scenes of devastation for snapper who covered LA fires

'Festive Fugitives' campaign scores trio of arrests

Multimedia fight to find criminals brings results for police

Regional publisher celebrates company champions

Archant honours its best-performing staff at annual ceremony

Burns Night launch for web-first Scottish title

Online newspaper resurrects name of 18th century journal

Colleagues' tributes to 'legend' of local journalism

Telegraph reporter’s career spanned four decades

Book to come out after reporter's computers returned

Sally Murrer’s novel will finally hit shelves in the spring

Nearly half of council papers carry ads says report

Newspaper Society calls for curbs on local authority publications

Tributes paid to regional daily's country diarist

Columnist and wildlife enthusiast dies aged 61

Echo transfers in new team members for deadline day

Rookie recruits to get taste of a busy newsroom

Dundee here we come?

At the conclusion of his speech to last year’s Society of Editors conference, its incoming president Donald Martin announced that next year’s gathering would be held in Glasgow. "Where better to celebrate next year’s conference than in the great newspaper

New deputy named in Aberdeen as Prest steps up

Senior editorial moves continue north of border

Island weekly wins top prize in annual awards

Highland and Islands Media Awards winners revealed

Will the Tories destroy the regional media’s only lifeline?

The emerging battle to run the three regional TV news pilots in Scotland, Wales and the North-East is shaping up to be the big media story of the year, with several rival newspaper groups bidding for the franchises. Meanwhile, shadow

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.