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July 2012 News

It’s a knockout newspaper team raises nearly £1,000

A team of journalists and advertising staff from a group of newspapers have raised nearly £1,000 for charity with an It’s a Knockout style contest. The 10-strong crew from the Dewsbury Reporter, Batley and Birstall News, Mirfield Reporter and Spenborough Guardian

Axed JP editor to advise company in ‘fracking’ row

Former newsman takes on role with gas exploration company

Charity boat race raises £8,000 in journalist’s memory

Weekly newspaper journalist lost fight with leukaemia

Regional daily aims to bring poorly tot home

Campaign launched to transform house for family

Newspaper lands exclusive interview with erotic novelist

Scoop gained after sub contacted author on Twitter

Press photography contest open for entries

Awards includes Olympic categories this year

Advertising revenues at Newsquest down 5.2pc

Results published for second quarter of 2012

Jobs at risk as subbing hub is dismantled after two years

Production to be centralised in Peterborough

New book tells day in the life of journalists

Regional newspaper reporters are among those featured in a new book charting the a day in the life of journalists across the UK and beyond. Former Take a Break editor John Dale has published e-book 24 Hours in Journalism following

Newspapers break their own record with jobs campaign

Editor hails “phenomenal” success of initiative

Randall to address press club luncheon

Top business journalist Jeff Randall is to be made a life member of Birmingham Press Club after agreeing to address its Celebrity Luncheon this year. He will address Press Club members and their guests on Monday 8 October prior to

Journalist’s whodunnit told through newspaper stories

Former weekly editor’s who-dunnit novel published

Reporter battling breast cancer completes charity run

Regional TV journalist helps raise £3,000

Johnston Press cancels 2012 staff salary reviews

Employees to get additional day’s leave

Weekly rapped for publishing girl’s medical condition

PCC rules that paper breached code

Newspaper named runner-up for green award

A weekly newspaper has narrowly missed out on winning a Best Business award at a green awards ceremony. The Lincolnshire Echo was named runner-up in in the category at the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards held earlier this month, losing out to construction

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.