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November 2011 News

Former weekly sports editor found dead

Journalist is believed to have died in house fire

MPs lobbied over London 2012 regional press passes

Fight continues for additional media accreditation

Thousands of firms apply for local press free ads deal

Surge of applications for business help

Lifetime achievement award for former political editor

Journalist became shorthand legend

Newspaper HQ turns blue for diabetes day

City title supported worldwide campaign

Reflections on Runnymede

The Society of Editors conference is always a highlight of the year for us here at HTFP. Apart from anything else, it’s a great chance to catch up with old friends and contacts and experience the camaraderie that, in spite

Hyperlocal site in cold weather payments win

Campaign pulls through in time for winter

‘Put doomed Midlands titles up for sale’, union tells Trinity Mirror

Urgent talks today over Midlands job losses

New JP boss to ‘help move newspapers into digital age’

Print not dead says incoming CEO

Free newspaper sells for £2.35 on eBay

Edition contained Winehouse inquest report

Revenue decline slows at Johnston Press

Company has taken out £20m of costs since January

Regional daily builds support for green spaces campaign

Council has taken readers’ feedback on board

Survey shows 29pc drop in editorial headcounts

Results of Society of Editors’ questionnaire revealed

Dyson at Runnymede: Missing the point and Cold War seating plans

Plus: Which weekly editor won the Best Dressed Guest award?

Live blog: The 2011 Society of Editors’ conference

Up-to-the-minute coverage of the year’s biggest media industry gathering

Editor voices fears over police-press relationship

Guidelines could impact crime reporting

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.