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December 2011 News

University’s independent status saved by Welsh daily

Welsh Government listened to concerns

Students’ shock at journalism tutor’s arrest

Former tabloid reporter denies allegations

Newspaper’s grim discovery about the cost of dying

Councils accused of imposing ‘death tax’

Press and Journal to go fully compact

Move in response to reader demand says editor

Jeremy Clarkson ‘went on strike as a local reporter’

Presenter worked for Yorkshire title in the 70s

Dyson in Belfast: Journalists, violence and phone-hacking

HTFP blogger’s second despatch from the Journalism Skills Conference

Meeting to address ‘crisis in Midlands journalism’

The National Union of Journalists is to hold a public meeting on what it calls the ‘crisis in Midlands journalism’. Speakers at the meeting, organised by the Birmingham & Coventry branch, will include Don Hale OBE, awarding winning former editor

Merger bid failure may hit more Northcliffe titles

Five newspapers could become one

Cameron in drug-driving pledge following weekly’s campaign

Cameron says laws will be changed

Training body honours the best in the business

Lecturer and courses received recognition

Western Mail boss again rules out weekly switch

Assembly inquiry hears evidence from publishers

Trinity ditches Fish4 for new motors platform

Partnership will lead to website rebranding

Newsagents lament loss of Kent weeklies

Newsagents in Kent have expressed disappointment at the decision to close two weekly titles in the wake of a failed merger bid. Regional publisher Northcliffe Media is axing the Medway News and East Kent Gazette after its bid to sell

Mercury acting editor explains Saturday price hike

Increase sparked storm of protest from newsagents

Police hand back student journalist’s video after NUJ protest

Union wrote to Chief Constable in dispute over footage

Editorial director quits regional publishing group

Former weekly editor to leave company this week

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.