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March 2012 News

Teenager nominated for human rights reporting award

Young writer hopes for journalism career

Johnston Press postpones annual results announcement

Delay due to need to ensure credit extension is in place

Dyson at Large: The Euro Millions headline quiz

HTFP blogger sets £10 challenge

Regional daily overturns banning order in dead baby case

Newspaper’s lawyers wrote to judge

Journalism training body accredits new courses

Thirteen centres have been re-accredited

Newspaper team slept rough for good cause

Challenge raised money for food bank

Hundreds raised at editor’s fruit throwing event

A charity event held on a beach organised by a former newspaper editor who now runs his own magazine raised hundreds of pounds despite bad weather. The tenth annual orange and lemon ‘flingathon’ organised by Worthing Journal editor Paul Holden was held

New-look PCC must have more power say MPs

Support for Lord Hunt’s ‘regulator with teeth’

Local media ‘more balanced’ on Suffolk strangler case, Leveson told

National media gave ‘misleading impression’ says editor

Man sent threats to regional journalist, court told

Letter referred to journalist being ‘cut up and put in lobster pots’

Regional press car sales website sold off

Acquisition will add to firm’s portfolio

Weekly launches fundraising bid for African children

Chief reporter will volunteer in Uganda

Mayor promises Olympic press passes for reporters

Boris Johnson tells journalists ‘We’ll sort you out’

New sales director for Midlands title

Northcliffe Media has appointed Richard Clay to the new position of sales director at the Leicester Mercury. Richard started his career in 2000 working for the Nottingham Post. He has previously led teams as telephone sales manager at Lincolnshire Media,

Editor: ‘Ripper case made police nervous of trusting journalists’

Former crime reporter spoke at Leveson Inquiry

Reporter wins court challenge to name baby batterer

Journalist won argument with barrister

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.