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June 2011 News

PCC upholds complaint from sex victim’s mum

Report led to victim being taunted

Journalist who covered marathon inquiry retires

Scottish reporter supported journalists’ charity

Journalism lecturer sees future in Facebook blogs

Online journalism expert in new experiment

International law firm sponsors skills conference

International legal practice Herbert Smith LLP has been named as one of the leading sponsors of this year’s Journalism Skills Conference. The event, organised by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, opens on 30 November in Belfast where

Take Five: Brian Aitken

Editor who swapped banking for journalism takes our weekly quiz

Ringo Starr takes swipe at Liverpool Echo

‘As a diplomat he makes a good drummer’ says editor

London daily to expose capital’s literacy ‘crisis’

One in three children does not own a book reveals paper

Decision on future of Tindle jobs delayed

Staff yet to hear what will happen at Advertiser

Award winning Yorkshire journalist dies aged 69

Tributes are paid to former YEP assistant editor

Sussex title launches twopenny campaign

Editor’s visit to school was inspiration

South West Media Awards 2011: What the judges said

Plus picture gallery from EDF Energy ceremony in Somerset

Editor who served in World War Two dies aged 88

Tributes to Lincolnshire journalist who witnessed the Blitz

Aberdeen journalist to stand in council election

Former Press and Journal man to stand as independant candidate

Yorkshire daily launches business club

Yorkshire Post creates think-tank for businesses

Tributes as former weekly editor dies aged 92

‘Courageous’ editor splashed first gay wedding

Bristol daily is ‘best of the West’

All the winners in EDF Energy contest

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.