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September 2011 News

Newsquest title reports on its own job losses

Weekly title carries strike story in paper

Police officer’s complaint against weekly dismissed

PC felt publication of address breached his privacy

Revealed: Why local press is being locked out of London 2012

‘History of attending Games’ is among criteria

Weekly reporter talks down rooftop protester

Journalist caught up in town centre drama

Journalists face axe at weekend titles

Consultation process has begun at Kent titles

Local TV ‘cheaper than newspapers’ says Hunt

Culture secretary backs cross-platform regulation

Strikers launch petition over ‘reduced work force’

Staff from five titles say company failed to heed concerns

Tributes paid to former weekly editor

Talented journalist died following illness

Regional daily apologises to man wrongly named as sex offender

Newspaper issues ‘unreserved apology’

Local papers face Olympic rowing lockout

MPs asked for backing in access row

Community newswire back in business

Service axed due to government cutbacks is relaunched

Northcliffe hyperlocal sites ‘flawed’ claim academics

Company claims research is ‘out of date’

Council ‘withdraws co-operation’ from city dailies

Staff will still respond to queries says authority

North-West journalists begin strike action

Staff will work to rule as part of protest at job cuts

Entries for best blogger in Wales revealed

A list of all the entries for the second Wales Blog Awards has been published. More than 150 entries have been received in the awards which contain ten categories, including best photo blog and best writing on a blog. The

Judge awards £175k damages for online libel

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the profession

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.