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November 2011 News

NCTJ looks to set up course for citizen journalists

Training body to teach ‘basic reporting skills’

New sponsors are good bet for sports journalists’ lunches

Betting firm Ladbrokes is to sponsor a series of all-star lunches for the sports media as the new sponsor of the Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain. The SJA has been organising these events for years with some of its recent

Home secretary droning on

Moving a bit further afield than usual, here’s one from the Hurriyet Daily News, the English-speaking national daily of Turkey. Home secretary Theresa May may have her critics, but we don’t think she has ever been identified quite like

Can local newspapers survive? asks former daily editor

Phone-hacking is ‘huge diversion’ says industry researcher

Publisher reviews freelance contracts in ‘rights-grabbing’ row

Photographers ‘subsidising’ newspaper company says union

Weekly saves war memorial in time for Poppy Day

Monument restored in time for Sunday

Former daily editor takes on hospital role

Award winning journalist changed career path

Union official hits out at ‘irresponsible’ newspaper owners

Publishers are sabotaging own titles says NUJ man

Take Five: Steven Fletcher

Nottingham deputy on the spot

Regional daily editor honoured at degree ceremony

A daily newspaper editor has officially been handed an honorary degree from University Campus Suffolk. Nigel Pickover, editor of the Ipswich Evening Star, accepted the accolade at a university graduation ceremony last week in front of students from the School

London looter could face jail thanks to newspaper’s appeal

Suspect was recognised by reader

Gallagher slams ‘hairdresser turned journalist’

Reviewer was ‘trying to make name for himself’ says star

Entries open as North-East press awards enter 30th year

Business and community journalism categories revived

Christmas job losses in store at daily newspaper

Staff could have just four weeks left

Cumbria weekly retains best newspaper title

All the O2 North West award winners in full

Weekly editor calls for ‘media bank’ to help newspapers

Public funding call at Lords commitee

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.