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November 2011 News

Cable forced to apologise after London weekly’s bin scoop

Newspaper exposed potential data protection breach

Weekly overturns gag on corrupt cricket agent’s guilty plea

‘Ballsy’ local press reporter challenges ruling

Peer returns to fray over KM-Northcliffe deal

Former PCC director condemns ‘dinosaur decision’

Charity night tribute to former sub-editor

Mum-of-three died aged 53

Theatre takes name of regional daily

Newspaper ‘did not hesitate’ to get on board

Complaint over newspapers’ use of schoolgirl photo upheld

Article caused distress to teen

Olympic press pass ‘disgrace’ raised in Lords

NS to host meeting on press pool for Games

CBI boss backs free advertising initiative

The director general of the Confederation of British Industries has become the latest high profile figure to lend his backing to a regional press campaign to help fledgling businesses. Nearly 500 local titles have signed up for the Local Business

Council wants to charge for ‘complex’ FoI requests

Authority aims to recoup cash through fees

Regional editors to take part in day-long debate

Conference programme is finalised

Former deputy editor to head up Games media team

Journalist lands Glasgow 2014 job

Midlands daily to be stocked in Commons library

Change followed intervention by local MP

Reporter steps up to ballroom challenge

Event part of £1.55 million fundraising drive

Former striker Sutton backs daily’s text appeal

Title aims to raise £1.2 million for cancer lab

Not quite on the ball

The East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin may indeed have been on the ball in her comments about scrapping relegation from the Premiership – but the Belper News was perhaps less so in its reporting of it. Relegation to and

Merger deal collapse could put rival publishers out of business – Ofcom

Revelation will fuel criticism of OFT decision

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.