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August 2011 News

Public thumbs-up for under-threat press watchdog

Majority of people happy with PCC says survey

Half-year results show publisher’s profits down £4m

Upbeat message from company chairman

Johnston Press boss talks face-to-face with strikers

John Fry talked for 25 minutes to strikers outside Star office

Teesside editor in North-East daily switch

New editor of Evening Chronicle will start in September

Regional daily reporter returns from Helmand

Defence expert lives ‘life in the shoes’ of armed forces

Former evening title goes back to roots

Second on-day print run after football ground sold

Funeral held for former editor killed in car accident

Hundreds of people gather to remember town stalwart

Strikers’ anger at paper’s use of ‘re-hashed’ story

Journalists say newspaper took story from ‘News of the Don’

Press Association pays out for ‘lifting’ interview

News agency called in lawyers over interview with Jo Yeates’ dad

Newspaper launches anti-knife campaign

Newspaper joins forces with MP to target teenagers carrying knives

Journalist who covered Ripper case dies aged 81

Reporter started on local paper and went on to work at The Sun

March to take place in support of striking journalists

Rally to be held in protest over job losses

Regional sports editor proves he’s got pedal power

Journalist to take part in eight-day cycle challenge

Glasgow job losses total 85, publisher confirms

Restructure will be complete by end of September

Website for young writers seeks new recruits

A website aimed at helping young people break into journalism is looking for five new recruits. WannabeHacks.co.uk is run by journalism graduates and needs a new team to run the site from September. Applicants need to send an up-to-date CV along with a sentence

Cafe base for reporters as office closes

Come and have a cuppa, Yorkshire weekly tells punters

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.