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March 2012 News

Regional press photos feature in Jubilee exhibition

Photographs taken by local newspapers are being featured in a Royal Collection exhibition to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. The Queen: 60 Photographs for 60 Years is being exhibited at Windsor Castle, and features photographs contributed by regional and national press,

Community writers invited to hyperlocal ‘unconference’

People interested in hyperlocal news are being urged to attend an event in Birmingham next month which organisers are calling an “unconference.” The event, entitled #TAL12, is being staged by community websites Talk About Local and n0tice. It will be

Weekly halts office move after local campaign

Newspaper to stay in cathedral city

Regional daily’s former wool trade writer dies aged 86

Writer kept column up into his eighties

Picture editor looks back over changing times

Career started on Welsh daily at time of mining disaster

Daily proves it is streets ahead with popular campaign

Clean up campaign has gained pace

Former journalist takes on second marathon challenge

Ex news editor will run for environmental charity

Newspaper photo mix-up victim seeks to clear his name

Hundreds of copies of newspaper had to be reprinted

New PR role for editor axed in restructure

Former Trinity Mirror man bounces back

Future looks bright for successful hyperlocal website

Subscriptions have reached an all-time high

Newspapers show they have heart with £8,000 scheme

Pride of Essex will be rewarded

Northcliffe exodus continues as Qualtrough quits Morning News

Devon daily boss becomes seventh editor to leave company

Journalism Diversity Fund open for entries

Would-be journalists without the financial means to attend training courses run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists are being given an annual opportunity to apply for a bursary. The Journalism Diversity Fund is available to people from

New group editor for East Midlands weeklies

Fresh promotion for editorial rising star

Journalist to scale heights in memory of late colleagues

Former reporters will be remembered at charity event

New digital boss for Express & Star publisher

Appointment follows web traffic increase

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.