AddThis SmartLayers

October 2011 News

Brighter new look for HoldtheFrontPage

HoldtheFrontPage has today unveiled a series of design tweaks to its homepage including greater prominence for jobs and a new ‘media funnies’ channel. The site’s new WordPress platform has now been live for six months and although user feedback has

Police took 98 days to answer newspaper’s FOI request

Force is falling behind laws surrounding the act

Fresh exposure for Sussex football team

At first glance it looks like any other team shot from a local weekly’s football pages, but closer inspection of this Bexhill United line-up reveals one of the players giving a bit too much of the ball away. From the

No action over dopey crop raiders story complaint

Press watchdog found in newspaper’s favour

Hyperlocal news site goes continental

Company has sights set on ten countries

Newspaper in plea to readers to ‘buy local’

Weekly title playing vital role in saving shops

Regional publisher in cost-cutting video deal

Regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press has signed a three year contract with an online technology provider which will take control of its automated online video. In a move to reduce operating costs the company will use the Localstars’ platform to automate the

Dyson at Large: Mining tragedy undersold on page one

HoldtheFrontPage blogger reviews the Pontefract and Castleford Express

Newspapers offer free ads to boost small business

Local titles to hold Dragon’s Den-style contests

Satchwell continues fight over teacher anonymity

Editors boss believes law would set precedent

Local newspaper in fight to save town centre

Title is calling on support of community

Ken Clarke to address Society of Editors’ conference

Editors and politicians among line-up of speakers

KM Group scraps bid to buy Northcliffe titles

Independent publisher pulls out of deal over referral

North West titles go head-to-head in O2 awards

Weekly and daily titles have been nominated

Leveson rejects calls for regional press presence on inquiry panel

Press inquiry chairman will not add to team of assessors

Posthumous accolade for journalist who died suddenly

Former sub-editor penned crime novel

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.