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June 2012 News

Journalist turned Hollywood writer begins book tour

Hollywood beckoned for former obituary writer

More JP jobs set to go in South Yorkshire and Midlands

Chief photographer and production roles under threat

Editor steps up eight-year fight over hospital

Editor meets Lansley over health authority plans

Regional publisher takes full ownership of deals website

Regional publisher Archant has taken full ownership of the company which runs group-buying deals website Tickles.co.uk and travel deals website 40Winks.co.uk after buying the remaining 50pc. The sites, which operate in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, were launched in May 2010

PM backs regional daily’s campaign on military veterans

Paper is calling for more support for ex-servicemen and women

Jobs set to go as Yorkshire daily newsrooms merge

Combined editorial team for Johnston Press dailies

Hyperlocal news site opens town centre office

Success of site sees page views top 100,000

News team help boost blood stocks as demand increases

Reporter wrote first-hand account of experience

Sly Bailey to leave Trinity Mirror with immediate effect

Chief executive bows out six months earlier than planned

Regional daily reporter’s Sir Jimmy biography published

A book by a regional press reporter telling the life story of Sir Jimmy Savile has now been published. Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Alison Bellamy has penned an authorised biography of Sir Jimmy entitled How’s About That, Then? It includes

Editor of West County weekly switches titles

Fresh challenge for Somerset news chief after two years

Weekly’s former ‘Mr Angry’ columnist admits fraud

Ex-columnist claimed more than £50,000

Pasty tax win shows value of local press says editor

Government u-turn was a ‘triumph for newspapers’

Former chief sub in bid to help out-of-work journalists

Ex JP journalist says he makes more money working for himself

MP calls for local papers to be protected from closure

Overnight closures of titles could be prevented under MP’s suggestions

Deputy editor appointed at Scotsman

The senior assistant editor of The Scotsman has stepped up to become the deputy editor at the title. Peter MacMahon has been picked for the role following the appointment of Ian Stewart earlier this week to the role of editor

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.