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April 2011 News

Reporter wins second award for helping snare rapist

Journalist recognised with prize from employers

Sales drop for newspaper-turned-news magazine

Latest ABCs show circulation falls for Scottish titles

New editor appointed to lead regional magazine

A new editor has been appointed to the helm of a publisher’s regional boating magazine. Steve Cox has been an Archant journalist for more than 25 years, including 13 years on the business desk of the Eastern Daily Press, and

Journalists at regional daily vote on strike action

Move comes after five redundancies announced

Pass rate for NCE up 10pc on last year

49 trainees achieve ‘gold standard’ to become seniors

Weekly reporter scores NCE prize double

Journalists with best exam papers given £250 prizes

March NCE: What the examiners said

Training chiefs give their verdict on latest seniors’ exam

Disabled press photographer branded safety hazard

Football League club accused of “blatant discrmination”

University tops jobs table for journalism graduates

Government figures show 75pc employment rate

Paper takes broadband campaign to government

Regional daily calls for funding to improve connection speeds

Weekly’s cancer appeal hits £500,000 in two months

Campaign aims to raise £2.2m for chemotherapy unit

Tindle journalists to strike over low staff numbers

NUJ members at family-owned publisher to walk out next week

Regional daily seeks new home after 140 years

Editor says title will remain based in town centre

Councils named and shamed over FoI requests

Watchdog raps public bodies who fail to improve response times

MP wins apology over ‘centenarian cyclists’ story

Regional daily says sorry after politician complains to PCC

Former deputy editor to discuss future of industry

Journalist chosen to deliver university’s annual lecture

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.