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May 2012 News

Victory for regional dailies in pasty tax campaign

Treasury announces U-turn on Budget plans

BBC ‘dancing on the grave of local newspapers’

And we’re talking “pogo, not line” says editor

Cancer claims life of sports journalist aged 54

Boxing lover had written for various newspapers

Weekly’s four front pages for Olympic torch relay

Photographers captured historic moment in each town

Newspaper helps raise thousands for blind youngster

Front page story had big impact

Interactive newspaper could be ‘lifeline to industry’

University led project is set to be rolled out

Law column: The judge, the bisexual and her MP lover

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry.

Journalist walks her way towards charity target

A former newspaper reporter who underwent life-changing brain surgery is well on the way to meeting her £1,000 fundraising target for an epilepsy charity. Anna Coe, a former reporter at the West Sussex County Times who has had epilepsy for 20

Spearless in their field

Asparagus is big news in Evesham. The town hosts an annual Asparagus Festival, the centrepiece of which is the crowning of an Asparagus King. So perhaps the Evesham Journal can be forgiven for this bill which, to a casual passer-by,

Last editions for JP dailies ahead of weekly switch

Regional publisher in first wave of relaunch

Midlands daily cuts editions from five to two

Newspaper will now go to press twice a day

Two more editors depart in North-West shake-up

New senior team now in place at JP titles

Press Association launches free live blog service

Newspapers will be able to add their own content

Facebook campaign pays off for freelance photographer

Weekly newspaper offered new contract

And the Editor of the Year is…Steve Hall

Derby news chief wins top accolade for campaign

Mugabe scoop earns young journalist prize

Award was sponsored by HoldtheFrontPage for second year

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.