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June 2012 News

Northcliffe to axe freelance roles in local site restructure

New roles to be created as others go

Newspaper apologises over injured child report

Round-up of the latest PCC cases involving local newspapers

New Bath Chronicle editor to be appointed next week

The new editor of the Bath Chronicle will be named next week, the paper’s managing director has told staff. Sarah Pullen revealed in a memo that Sam Holliday’s successor as boss of the Northcliffe-owned title will be announced in the

Regional editor who pioneered local radio dies aged 90

Journalist was credited with establishing BBC station

Paper boys dispute resolved after Facebook ‘boycott’

Delivery boys and girls could get their jobs back

Second ‘bulky’ weekly splits in two

Daily-turned-weekly launches separate pullout

Newspaper’s campaign saves hospice from cash shortfall

Readers donate £500,000 in seven-month fundraising drive

Weekly to mark 100 years by uncovering town’s talent

Newspaper team organise variety event

Weekly editor turned football writer dies aged 85

Journalist became chief executive of football club

Yorkshire Post heads shortlist for O2 Media Awards

Nominations unveiled for region’s annual contest

Stoke Sentinel boss to leave Northcliffe

The boss of Northcliffe’s Staffordshire division Tim Saunders is to leave the business later this month, the company has announced. Tim has spent 24 years with Northcliffe and is currently managing director of Staffordshire News and Media, publisher of the

Newspaper halts bid to impose reporting restrictions in same case twice

Hat-trick of successful challenges for regional daily reporter

Dyson at Large: Subbing nightmare at JP weekly

Our blogger uncovers some production glitches on the south coast

Daily-turned-weekly editor bids fond farewell

Frequency changed made paper ‘far more successful’ says chief

Northcliffe given go ahead to buy rival Nottingham free

OFT gives green light to merger

London newspapers produce special Jubilee e-editions

Hundreds of commemorative pictures published online

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.