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January 2012 News

MEN editor warns Leveson of backlash against press

Regional editors speak out at press standards inquiry

Northcliffe appoints new sales development director

Regional publisher Northcliffe Media has appointed Lesa Brown to the newly created role of sales development director – advertising with a brief to develop best practise across the company’s advertising teams. Lesa moves from the position of director of sales

Photographers face axe as UGC picture site launched

Publisher urges readers to send in photographs

Weekly’s dwarf story makes big news across the globe

Victim was mentioned at US awards

Midlands daily scraps online paywall after nine months

Readers can download paid-for app

Dyson at Large: Back to the future with broadsheet weekly

HTFP blogger gets to grips with ‘enormous’ title

Regional TV head of news dies aged 56

Reporter went on to become TV news editor

Cruise tragedy sinks dream holiday promo

It’s hard not to sympathise with the Belfast Telegraph on this one given that it would have been difficult not to put the picture of the stricken cruise liner on its front page. Hopefully Saturday’s disaster will not have left

Regional press ‘bumping along the bottom’ says Bailey

Trinity Mirror boss warns of obstacles to consolidation

Nazi-hunter turned journalist dies aged 85

Career followed a spell in the army

Editor speaks out ahead of Leveson appearance

PCC will be axed predicts news chief

Essex journalists to stage walkout after strike vote

Mandatory chapel meeting will be held tomorrow

Journalists’ jobs saved as Liverpool daily turns weekly

Company confirms no compulsory redundancies

Get fit for Olympic year urges South West daily

Campaign encourages healthier lifestyle

Second regional Scottish title to go compact

Change will be implemented this week

Theatre criticises regional daily over planned job cuts

Company currently in consultation with staff

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.