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April 2012 News

Weekly editor made redundant in Yorkshire shake-up

Three newspaper offices to close as restructure continues

Daily editor presses Cameron over help for city

Prime Minister pledges to look into funding delays

Revenues down 10pc at Northcliffe Media

Decline accelerates in first three months of year

Thumbs down for local TV as Channel M closes

Station had been operating on shoestring for two years

Regional daily editor to run London Marathon

Disabled charity will benefit from epic feat

Protest over job cuts will coincide with daily’s exhibition

Union will stage a demonstration in Bristol

Weeklies provide ‘diamond’ coverage of Queen’s visit

Jubilee tour stopped off in London

Journalists honour W.T Stead on Titanic anniversary

Descendants of the pioneering journalist W.T. Stead attended a ceremony yesterday to mark the centenary of his death aboard the Titanic in 1912. Chartered Institute of Journalists President Norman Bartlett (left) laid a wreath at Stead’s memorial on the Victoria

Five Johnston Press daily newspapers to go weekly next month

Jobs to go as titles become “platform neutral” publications

Local newspaper boss leaves company after five weeks

Managing director left with immediate effect

Weekly’s drug-drive law makes it into Queen’s speech

Teenager’s death led to campaign launch

Stalwart journalist who ran PA news output dies aged 81

Former tea boy became key figure in agency

Journalist’s new novel sees serial killer on loose

Edinburgh is setting for crime novel

Odd political double-act spotted in Crawley

Interesting picture-headline juxtaposition on a local election story from the Crawley News’ website, thisissussex.co.uk.

Jobs go as Bristol daily drops Saturday edition

‘Evening’ will be dropped from title along with name of city

Johnston Press to centralise advertising roles in Sheffield

Jobs to move from seven other centres across England

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.