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December 2011 News

Revealed: How local newspaper took on The X Factor and won

Blog inspired charity to pursue legal battle

Student newspaper thrives ten years on

A student newspaper in Scotland is thriving ten years after it was launched. The 116-page Scotcampus is Scotland’s biggest and oldest independent student publication and is available six times a year at all major universities and colleges throughout Scotland. Launched

News agency labels MacKenzie claims ‘ludicrous’

Row over origins of Hillborough story

‘What next for local newspapers?’ Editor gazes into abyss

Letter to readers spoke of love for job

Student journalist demands police apology for seizing film

Union has sent letter to chief constable

Regional daily saves lollipop ladies

Crossings campaign hailed a success

Weekly’s festive gesture for poverty-stricken children

Thousands of gifts are needed says newspaper

Trinity Mirror to impose 2012 pay freeze

Regional publisher Trinity Mirror has announced a 12-month pay freeze for all its 6,500 staff.

Lecturer faces no further action on phone-hacking

Former regional press journalist had denied involvement

Editor’s lament for his hometown paper

Bel Tel boss pens farewell to newspaper he grew up with

Now KM Group launches replacement for axed Northcliffe weekly

Fresh twist in Kent newspaper saga

Former North East assistant editor dies aged 59

Journalist went to school with Tony Blair

Newspaper joins fight to save hospital

Readers were encouraged to join protest

Award to remember top sports editor

Students can enter competition

Citizen journalism website celebrates two awards

A website devoted to citizen journalism has won two business awards. BlottR won the Innovative Business of the Year in the Startups Awards 2011 and has also picked up the ‘most disruptive technology’ award at the Tech City UK Entrepreneurship Festival

NS to merge comms and marketing operations

The Newspaper Society is to merge its communications and marketing departments under the current comms director Lynne Anderson, it announced today. The move follows the decision by marketing director Robert Ray to leave the NS in January. Johnston Press chief

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.