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March 2010 News

Archant invests £500k in local press publisher

Company’s link with associate revealed in annual report

Weekly sports 'elegant' new look after revamp

New masthead and higher story count for Advertiser

Maria McGeoghan confirmed as MEN editor

Acting boss asked to stay on in new owners first act

More unrest over Johnston Press subbing hub plan

Courier journalists protest over latest roll-out

Deadline approaches for diversity fund bursaries

Financial help on offer to rookie reporters

Two new prizes in annual regional awards scheme

Prepare your cuttings for ninth annual Midlands Media Awards

A culture clash in Wolverhampton?

One of the great things about having a story comments facility on your website is that it enables users to amplify what you have already written, and perhaps introduce fresh angles and context to a story. So it was with

Gary Lineker backs Local Newspaper Week

Plus: Exec takes on Marathon Des Sables and more news in brief

Former UK press bigwig Quinn bows out in Oz

One-time TRN editorial director announces retirement

New copyright rules set to come into force

Plus: Big Issue turns ‘wee’ and more news in brief

Weekly launches campaign against council freesheet

Initiative hopes to raise awareness in London borough

Helping people enjoy a 'wheelie' good night

There’s nothing more socially unpleasant than a row of drunk men (and sometimes women) urinating into shop doorways or onto streets during nights out on the town. But police and Eastleigh Borough Council, in Hampshire, are considering putting up wheelie

Is pollution really polluting your population?

Nearly 50,000 people die each year unnecessarily through air pollution. Health costs to society as a result of pollution could be equal to those dealing with alcohol abuse. Speak to local NHS bodies, health and ‘green’ groups and care associations

Finding people 'armed' with good skills

Hire a Hero – a company which helps ex-military personnel find work – is apparently being inundated with offers. Read more about it here. Surely businesses on your patch could make use of former military staff…if they aren’t already. Have

A 'bleeping' ridiculous idea?

New government plans could see children undergo annual fitness tests including the dreaded ‘bleep tests’. Bleep tests involve running between two markers before a bleep sounds with the intervals becoming increasingly shorter. They are used by, among others, emergency services

Age ain't nothing but a number

People in their 90s could be allowed to sit on juries after proposals to scrap age limits were mooted. But fears have been raised that elderly people would struggle to follow court cases – read more about it here. Is

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.