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March 2011 News

Dyson at Large: A dish fit for the gods

HTFP blogger reviews the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald

Former regional press reporter freed from Libya

Missing agency journalist was captured by Gaddafi’s forces

Johnston Press appoints new digital content head

BBC social media editor to join publisher in June

Profits up 1.3pc at Belfast Telegraph publisher

Independent News and Media publishes results for 2010

Former Trinity Mirror boss to head gambling body

Executive built up company from Liverpool roots

Regional daily unveils new-look Saturday magazine

Launch coincides with cover price increase

Axed editor bounces back with glossy mag launch

Life after redundancy for former weekly news chief

Paper’s splash helps spark murder case review

Journalist gained interview with widower 30 years on

Snapper bags scoop after following police

Photographer captures moment shoplifter is arrested

Weekly’s book campaign aims to get children reading

People encouraged to donate unwanted fiction

Journalist returns to seaside roots

A journalist has returned to his roots to take up a role as a trainee reporter at a seaside town. Karl Hansell has taken up the position at the Whitby Gazette, not far from his home town of Scarborough. He previously

Debate over ‘threat’ of social media

The threats of social media to print journalism will be discussed at an event in Manchester tomorrow. The Manchester Salon, which hosts monthly discussions on current affairs, will hold the debate looking at the struggle facing regional and national newspapers

Regional daily launches reader discount platform

A regional newspaper publisher is set to start a new daily deals platform giving discounts to readers across its titles. MEN Media launches Frugaloo this week to email discounts of at least 50pc on a wide variety of products and

NCTJ wins award for staff development

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has achieved the highest national award possible for the way it develops and manages its staff. It has achieved Investors in People Gold status which recognises best management practice and people development,

Budding journalist gains global audience at paper

A partnership between a weekly newspaper and a university has allowed a media student to gain a global audience by creating videos for the title’s website. Student Dan Greaves has been on a placement one day a week with the Barnsley

Former regional press reporter missing in Libya

No word from agency journalist’s team since Friday

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.