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November 2011 News

Conference recognition for ‘excellent’ journalists

Talented reporters impressed judges

Take Five: Matthew Knowles

Scottish first minister’s nemesis answers the questions

Three papers to close and 45 jobs to go at Trinity Mirror Midlands

Major restructure at regional publisher

Don’t get paranoid, Ken Clarke tells press

Newspapers facing crisis of confidence says Justice Secretary

Deadline extended for East of England Media awards

Extra week to get your entries in

Dyson at Runnymede: Popular penguins and marvellous mullets

Plus: How editorial director got his lucky break

Regional editors defend press watchdog

Press watchdog focus of debate

Data journalism scoop for MEN on August rioters

Regional daily analyses how courts dealt with looters

Weekly launches 100-year-old Christmas campaign

Pensioners will receive gift parcels

Patten speaks up for regional press in conference opener

BBC boss praises newspaper campaigns as he opens conference

Readers vote for tabloid switch in weekly’s ‘referendum’

Thumbs up for move to compact format

Sir Ray Tindle buys more Johnston Press shares

Entrepreneur increases stake by further £250,000

Newspaper’s fireworks video rockets to worldwide fame

Unexpected scoop as community display goes with a bang

Northcliffe commercial boss to leave business next year

A senior manager with regional publisher Northcliffe Media has announced he is to leave the business next year. Commercial director David Roddick has decided to step down in March 2012, saying: “The time is right to move on.” Former News

Newsagents protest over Leicester Mercury price rise

Retailers claim margin is lowest in industry

South Coast daily’s fight to save heart unit thwarted

Final decision will now take months

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.