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April 2012 News

Success for regionals in Newspaper Awards

Liverpool Echo overcomes national opposition

‘We are committed to daily newspapers’ says Highfield

JP chief executive defends strategy in interview

Former regional journalist expands business

Company offers free features to newspapers

Tory MP Mensch accuses Highfield over iPad “insult”

Minister offers to hold meeting over daily-to-weekly changes

Cover prices to rise as JP unveils relaunch schedule

Most of group’s remaining broadsheets likely to go compact

Football apps launched as JP launches mobile drive

Mobile will be key growth channel says Highfield

Chelsea 3, Barcelona 2, BBC 0

Some confusion over at BBC Sport it seems following the dramatic conclusion of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at the Nou Camp. For the record, it was the Blues who overcame ‘Barca’ to go through 3-2 on aggregate.

Johnston Press agrees lending deal as it posts £144m loss

Three-year refinancing package for newspaper publisher

JP results: Ashley Highfield’s strategy in full

New CEO will put digital at heart of business

Dyson at Large: Dead hedgehogs and page three lingerie

It’s not all sheep farming in Mid-Wales weekly

Newspaper publisher in upmarket magazine launch

County’s top achievers are target audience

Regional newspaper publishers named on Rich List

Tindle suffers £20m reverse in annual wealth guide

Regional daily marks event with puppet theatre

Art extravaganza was based on true Titanic story

Ken Livingstone storms out of interview with local newspaper

Labour candidate scores zero on local knowledge

Journalists will don pyjamas for charity walk

Two Welsh newspaper journalists will swap their suits for slippers and dressing gowns to take part in a midnight pyjama walk for charity. Daily Post news editor Debbie James and Denbighshire reporter Kelly Williams are taking part in the walk

East Midlands town set for newspaper circulation battle

Trio of publications will compete for readers

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.