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February 2012 News

Law Column: Case gives guidance on journalistic defences

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry

Journalist on a marathon mission to save centre

Former reporter is training hard

Sussex weekly’s shop closure shock

We’ve had the Whitstable custard shortage…we’ve had the large plane spotted in the sky above Peterborough…now here’s some more hot news, this time from Haywards Heath. Readers of the Mid-Sussex Times will doubtless have been relieved to find that the

Newspaper helps bring riots arsonist to justice

Man admitted setting fire to furniture shop

South West newspaper reaches landmark anniversary

Series of reports will mark special year

Regional news prize added to Online Media Awards

HTFP to become media partner for web journalism event

New hyperlocal site is student journalist’s ‘living CV’

News is aimed at ex mining communities

Archant to sponsor video journalism award

Regional publisher Archant will sponsor a new award for the best performance in the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ video journalism exam. The exam is designed to enable trainees to produce short, focused video reports for use online on news websites.

Brown out again in fresh Johnston Press cull

Regional publisher to remove entire tier of management

Derby Telegraph tops shortlist for Midlands awards

Winners will be revealed next month

Six go head to head for regional sports writer prize

The shortlist for the regional newspaper journalists nominated for the British Sports Journalism Awards has been announced. Nominated in the Regional Sports Writer category are Jon Colman from Cumbrian Newspapers, Paul Ferguson from Belfast’s Sunday Life, Amanda Little from Cumbrian Newspapers,

Paedophile foster carer named thanks to newspaper

Victims agreed to sign waivers

Death of former Scottish editor who boosted sales

Newspaperman was awarded a CBE

Weekly title helped boost Titanic fund

Readers helped raise thousands

Regional newspaper expands its hyperlocal network

Online content will be used in papers

East of England Media Awards: What the judges said

All the commendations from EDF Energy awards ceremony

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.