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March 2012 News

PCC confirms it is to wind itself up

Watchdog set to re-emerge under new name

Reader donates £33,500 following regional daily’s splash

Dad needed £33,500 for cancer treatment

Sambrook to head Cardiff journalism centre

Ex-BBC man to become director of renowned training school

Journalist who became ‘Mr Showbiz’ dies aged 89

Career started on local newspaper

Why Sussex weeklies were left out of ABC figures

Publisher wanted to move to annual audits

Regional political editor bows out after three decades

Northcliffe lobby role axed following reshuffle

Regional publishers launch iPad and iPhone apps

Monthly subscriptions to range from £2.99 to £9.99

Oakley hits out at industry over Fish4 debacle

Big city dailies will be ‘first in the cemetery’ says former editor

New news editor for North-West daily

Michael Short has stepped down as news editor of the Bolton News after three and a half years and left the Newsquest-owned title. His replacement will be Jane Lavender, previously deputy news editor. The changes, which will also see crime

News team on the run for Sports Relief

Journalists at a series of London newspapers are preparing to take part in the Sport Relief Mile. The team from Trinity Mirror Southern newspapers will take part in the charity challenge on 25 March when people from across the country

‘I was sacked because I was not up to the job’ – former editor speaks out

Book chronicles 44 year career in newspapers

Local newspapers in call for care review at hospital

Readers had highlighted problems

MPs support daily’s call for release of secret papers

Tribunal will be held in May

Journalists to be surveyed on changes to industry

Project asks where people work now

Full-year profits down 29pc at regional publisher

Second half of 2011 shows improvement

Comedians back Welsh journalist’s charity bid

Auction is latest fundraising bid

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.