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January 2011 News

Colleague’s death inspires reporter’s charity run

30-mile challenge will see journalist visit four football clubs

New award to honour best newspaper apps

Technology company to sponsor new prize

Two short words mean gag must go

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry

Regional daily campaigns against ‘unfair’ cuts

Title joins council to launch petition against grant reductions

NCTJ appoints new members to photography board

Move comes after legendary tutor steps down

Jobs at risk in new subbing hub plan

Staff face two-and-a-half hour round trip to travel to work

Mirror man turned weekly editor dies aged 83

Journalist worked for many newspapers during 40-year career

Weekly steps in to keep band hitting high notes

Newspaper supports town’s musicians with sponsorship deal

Digital publishing boss bids to forge writing career

Thisis network chief moves on after 14 years

Strike vote at crisis-hit regional daily

Move comes after publisher proposed cuts at subbing hub

Weekly paper’s campaign aims to keep lights on

Title fears council cuts would make roads more dangerous

Journalism diploma launched as e-course

A new journalism qualification which was launched at colleges and universities in September is now on offer by a training company as a distance learning course. CTJT is offering students the chance to study for the National Council for the

New award to honour best newspaper apps

Technology company to sponsor prize

Alan Johnson breaks silence to local daily

MP speaks exclusively to Mail after standing down

Newspaper’s tribute to footballing legend

Wraparound photo of occasion used by regional daily

Reporter sleeps rough to highlight homeless plight

Regional daily journalist spends night on city’s streets

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.