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November 2011 News

Dyson at Large: The future is weekly

Our blogger reviews the new-look Lincolnshire Echo

Weekly titles rescued after publisher went bust

Axed journalists get their jobs back

Tabak trial Tweet could lead to contempt case

Arrested man purported to be a journalist

Should football pundits be axed to save journalists’ jobs?

I don’t know whether Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford is a football fan, but this blog post calling for star presenters such as Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen to be sacked in order to save the jobs of BBC journalists

Union given voice at press ethics inquiry

‘We will speak up for ordinary journalists’ says Stanistreet

Former advertising watchdog chief joins PCC

A former deputy chairman of the Advertising StandardS Authiority has been appointed as a new member of the Press Complaints Commission. Neil Watts joins the press watchdog in place of the former MP and MSP John Home Robertson, who is

Former editor loses cancer battle at 62

Journalist raised funds for local causes

Regional dailies win £8m to help create jobs

Newspapers will hand out cash to small businesses

Regional journalist banned from Gallagher gig

Newspaper review saw request for press pass rejected

New publisher named at Lincolnshire newspaper centre

Boss will have key role in editor appointment

Daily’s mission to save mental health centre

Editor wants to secure future of facility

Sports writers aim to raise ‘mo’ money for charity

Journalists will take part in Movember

Take Five: Doug Melloy

Long-serving Yorkshire weekly editor answers the questions

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.