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June 2012 News

Regional daily praised in Commons for promoting patch

MP’s motion highlights paper’s role in supporting local businesses

Award-winning editor promoted to MD at Midlands title

New roles announced at Northcliffe dailies

MPs rule that you still can’t libel the dead

Labour MP’s bid to change law rejected

Regional daily’s press ball raises £25,000 for charity

R&B singer Lemar sang at event

Independent publisher in legal spat with Johnston Press

Solicitor’s letter sent after ex-employee helped out in office

Award-winning student journalist to promote NCTJ fund

An award-winning student journalist has been appointed as an intern for the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Lisa Nelson from Belfast Metropolitan College will join the organisation in July as its Journalism Diversity Fund intern. Her role will include promoting

Paper’s anti-knife campaign sees metal detector unveiled

Initiative backed by mother of stabbing victim

Former Crain’s boss aims to bounce back again

Publication will compete in crowded North-West market

Talking newspaper founder awarded posthumous MBE

Association set up to bring news to blind people

Sports journalist publishes crime novel as e-book

Regional daily sports writer penned thriller over three years

Sports reporter who rose to nationals loses cancer fight aged 40

Football writer started career in regional press

Community website asks readers for money

Founder wants to find permanent newsroom

It’s a knockout for charitable newspaper team

A team from a group of newspapers in Yorkshire are set to take part in a It’s a Knockout style competition. Journalists and sales representatives from the Batley and Birstall News, Dewsbury Reporter, Mirfield Reporter and Spenborough Guardian will be

The naked truth

Drivers in the Bradford area may have been a tad confused by this headline from the Telegraph and Argus. Does it mean they should beware scantily-clad youngsters, or has the curse of the homophone struck again?

New student newspaper attracts hundreds of applicants

Online venture described as ‘next big thing’

Weekly group editor leaves Johnston Press after 20 years

‘Time to seek fresh challenge’ says news chief

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.