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September 2011 News

Editors warned over ‘jigsaw identification’ in sex cases

Guidance note issued following complaints over past year

Former strikers ‘confident’ over negotiations

A chapel meeting was called off as good will gesture

Weekly’s campaign earns gold medal for town

Title’s three-year community project pays off

Take Five: Stan Szecowka

Gulf Weekly editor and former Bristol deputy on the spot

Regional publisher takes on pub magazine

Regional publisher Archant has joined forces with a technology and media company for the pub industry to produce its monthly trade magazine In a new deal, Archant will print and distribute Inapub through Archant Dialogue, its contract and customer magazine publishing business.

Metro exec joins new-look Northcliffe team

Regional publisher appoints new marketing boss

Newspaper’s FoI request uncovered hospital death probe

Police investigation was kept quiet

Newspaper apologises over ‘hate’ headline

Football club complained of ‘inflammatory’ reporting

Journalist stages church service to mark retirement

Event will be a ‘thanksgiving for the inky trade’

Hyperlocal site could win big money prize

User generated service nominated for business award

Delay over publication of family court judgements

Pros and cons of online family court cases examined

Midlands daily latest to smash jobs target

The Worcester News has become the latest newspaper to run a successful scheme which has seen 100 apprenticeships taken on by local companies in 100 days. Having smashed the initial target well before the 100-day deadine, the paper revised it to aim at getting

Lincolnshire Echo becomes fourth Northcliffe daily to go weekly

Deputy editor leaves as title changes frequency

Satchwell weighs into Olympics access row

SoE boss voices concern over local press passes

Town hall ‘pravda’ faces fresh criticism

Local authority newsletter branded a ‘disgrace’

West Country daily set to return ‘home’

Northcliffe title set to regain its own identity

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.