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March 2012 News

Scottish journalist turned author dies aged 80

Reporter worked for city title in the 50s

Emirates Stadium date for online media awards

Nine-strong team of judges unveiled

Regional daily unveils redesign alongside edition changes

Midweek supplements get new look

Survey says newspapers in print ‘will die by 2020′

Almost two-thirds of industry leaders from the global publishing industry think that newspapers will end up as digital-only enterprises by 2020, according to a survey. MPP Global Solutions, provider of payment services and eCommerce solutions to the media and entertainment industries,

All is revealed in weekly’s splash?

We’re not sure whether this front page bloomer from the Down Recorder was caused by a stray dog’s paw or a piece of protruding bed linen, but either way you have to feel sorry for the poor chap in question!

Post reporter leads way on Afghan bomb coverage

Journalist was 200m away from suicide attack

Dyson at Large: The Queen and Kate sell local papers

HTFP blogger reviews Midlands daily

Regionals go head-to-head in production awards

Shortlist includes weekly and daily titles

Trainee reporter reveals £800k cost of incinerator appeal

Requests for information had been refused

Union set to take student journalist’s case to IPCC

Complaint over film may be taken further

North West sports reporter regains title

Journalist can award to his collection

New business beat for former HoldtheFrontPage journalist

Former HoldtheFrontPage reporter Tamlyn Jones has joined the growing Manchester-based business news platform North West Insider. He will work as part of its digital team, producing daily email news updates to Insider’s business subscribers. Tamlyn worked for HoldtheFrontPage from 2007

Company is ‘killing off local newspapers’ claims union

Newspapers ‘unable to fulfill their role’

Newsagents up in arms over YP cover price increase

Publisher accused of failing to pass on margin

Time to bring our boys home says regional daily

Death of 400th victim is ‘tipping point’ says editor

River safety campaign inspired Australian newspaper

Journalist spotted video online

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.