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June 2011 News

Blogger arrested for filming council meeting

Community campaigner removed from public gallery

Harry Evans is an editor again at 82

Legendary editor and author Sir Harold Evans has been appointed as editor-at-large for global news agency Reuters at the age of 82. Among his roles will be to host live discussion events featuring world leaders and also events showcasing Reuters

New survey launched into press “plagiarism”

HTFP readers urged to take part in research

Journalists offered expenses-paid trip to Egypt

Trip will be freebie for 30 lucky writers

Regional daily reunites brothers after 50 years

Liverpool man will head to New Zealand to meet long lost brother

Circulation boost for Sunday title which named Giggs

But year-on-year sales continue to fall

Name change for community news website

A community news website that has evolved from a blog into an “important news resource” has changed its name. The Lichfield Blog, founded two and a half years ago, has now become Lichfield Live. Founder Ross Hawkes said: “It’s been

MP tables Commons motion backing Tindle staff

Staff at Tindle Newspapers in North London who have been campaigning over staffing levels have received the backing of their local MP. Edmonton Labour MP Andy Love tabled early day motion in the Commons backing the National Union of Journalists

Archant scales down job cuts plan after NUJ talks

Redundancies go ahead but some posts saved

Metro website unveils new-look masthead

Metro has today unveiled a new online look and masthead for its companion website metro.co.uk. The metro.co.uk logo has been replaced at the centre of the site’s masthead with a smaller ‘M’ icon consistent with Metro’s presence on mobile

Journalist’s book to spill beans on sports stars

Kindle book will include anecdotes collected over years

Daily news team scales the heights

Three Peaks Challenge took more than 30 hours

Clifford confirmed as new Sheffield Star editor

New boss for Johnston Press title

Fresh chance for young journalists to shine

Award nominations are now open

Newsquest journalists to go on strike next week

Two-day stoppage to begin on Wednesday

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.