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May 2012 News

Weekly newspaper editor axed in restructure

Journalist had spent ten years with title

Regional daily sees success with smoke alarm campaign

Joint venture with fire service followed a rise in deaths

Compact relaunch for Highlands weekly after 110 years

Weekly will include more views, photographs and features

New journalism course to launch in the Midlands

Full-time course starts in September

Former editor: Scottish dailies ‘living on borrowed time’

Televised debate focussed on press industry

Nigerian community newspaper launched in London

Title will be distributed free at key locations across capital

Weekly calls for safety measures on road where boy died

Reporters canvassed people living on street

Former Midlands sports editor loses cancer battle

Tributes to journalist with ‘unlimited enthusiasm’

Archant launches city guide mobile app for London

Archant has launched a new mobile City Guide app for London, in a partnership between its London24 digital brand and developers of leading mobile city guides MyCityWay. MyCityWay London24 is a real-time, location-based, free of charge city guide, comprising more

Split Trinity Mirror in two says pundit as Sly Bailey steps down

Search for successor will begin immediately

Recently launched newspaper ‘cements place in town’

Editor pleased with initial circulation figures for Kent title

Newspaper group partners with marketing agency

Regional newspaper publisher the Midland News Association has chosen marketing agency Wyatt International to develop a new brand and communications strategy. Birmingham-based Wyatt will help the MNA with the positive promotion of its brands, which includes the Express & Star

Regional editors join backlash over Sun’s Hodgson splash

PCC set to investigate after 100-plus complaints

Former news agency boss chronicles his career

Reporter campaigned on behalf of race horses

Weekly overturns naming ban on 18-year-old

Magistrates thank newspaper for legal intervention

Journalist plans five-hander in aid of stroke charity

Newspaper’s head of features has entered five runs

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.