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June 2012 News

Subbing jobs at risk in Trinity Mirror Scottish restructure

New trainee reporter roles created under plans

Former regional editor slams comedian over autism jibe

Charity will benefit from doughnut dash

Rising star named as new digital supremo

EDP deputy moves into newly created role

Music journalist loses colon cancer battle

Writer was regular contributor to Scottish daily title

Journalism students call for more social media training

Journalism students have called for more training in social media at a meeting with directors of the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Harriet Brace from Glasgow Caledonian University, Tom Edwards from Lambeth College and Hannah Mark from Belfast

Dailies-to-weeklies’ sales up 77pc say Johnston Press

Union poses questions at publisher’s AGM

Regional daily editor suspended over use of Twitter

Trinity Mirror bosses to hold investigation

Job cuts in prospect at award-winning regional daily

Some feature writer roles could be redeployed

Regional newspaper office to become bus depot

Publisher searching for new base after sale agreed

Deputy editor role axed at South Coast daily

Long-serving journalist placed at risk of redundancy

Reporter honoured after writing of dad’s cancer death

Journalist has led regional daily’s stop smoking campaign

Train given Star treatment for paper’s 125th birthday

Regional daily’s anniversary sees high-speed locomotive named after it

Editor flies the flag for annual seafront appeal

Scheme has been going for ten years

It’s raining again in Croydon

The weather is, of course, our national obsession, but in the current climate, this Croydon Guardian story does have a slight air of dog bites man about it…..

Gordon Brown tells Leveson: ‘We need a local press’

Former PM highlights risk of ‘market failure’

Regional daily to move offices after 55 years

‘Obsolete’ buildings set to be redeveloped

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.