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April 2012 News

University to host masterclasses for journalism entrepreneurs

Up to 30 news entrepreneurs can apply for an intense weekend of master classes at the University of Central Lancashire to kick-start their journalism initiatives. The Google funded Media and Digital Enterprise project is aimed at helping journalism start-up projects. The

Newspaper launches fight to save iconic car firm

Daily is calling on Government to take action

Kerb Crawling is title of sports journalist’s first book

Comedy is based on personal experience of disability

Midlands newsroom shake-up puts 14 jobs at risk

Subbing to return to weekly titles after three years

Managers take control of local newspaper publisher

Buy-out team takes over after firm collapses owing £25m

Derbyshire homecoming for former editor Barry Askew

Funeral details announced for former regional and national news chief

Editor faces redundancy prospect after six weeks in job

Shake-up will see eight editor roles become four

Union working on plan to safeguard jobs at daily

Consulation over journalists’ jobs is underway

New look and extra features for Surrey weekly

Newspaper aims to reflect changing views, news and aspirations

Newspaper’s correction over cancer-inducing weed claim

Plus round-up of recent PCC cases involving local papers

SoE to stage special conference on regional press

Industry’s problems self-inflicted, Oakley will tell gathering

Speakers for data journalism seminar announced

The National Council for the Training of Journalists has announced its full line-up of speakers for its data journalism seminar on 25 May at Bloomberg in London. They are Paul Addison, managing editor of training at Bloomberg News, Paul Francis, political editor at the

No more dailies to go weekly this year says Johnston Press

Company rules out further frequency changes for ‘forseeable future’

Reporter passes seniors exam a fortnight after losing job

Bitter-sweet moment for former Archant journalist

Tory MP demands meeting over daily-to-weekly changes

Town will become biggest in England without daily newspaper

Axed editor collects newspaper of year prize

All the winners from the Scottish Press Awards

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.