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September 2012 News

Return Royal visit marks paper’s 125th anniversary

Duke of York quizzed by journalism students

North East papers in turmoil as editor quits and print plant is axed

Titles face deadline changes as a result of closure

Assistant editor in bid to keep aunt’s killer behind bars

Journalist helps compile dossier on sex beast

Regional daily saves stone-skimming contest

Annual event faced axe until paper stepped in

Law column: The website operator and the troll

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry.

Royal discovery makes mediaeval-style splash

Tolkien book title inspires Mercury headline

Trainee reporter in TV interviews about police shootings

Hyperlocal journalist discussed Manchester’s reaction to deaths

Newspaper’s chief editorial assistant dies aged 61

Former Royal Marine worked at regional daily for nearly 20 years

Jobs lost as distribution of newspapers outsourced

Regional dailies no longer delivered by publisher

Former regional reporter arranges charity music festival

Event held after cousin’s cancer fight

Stories behind sports headlines told in new book

Book is a tribute to journalist’s stillborn son

Regional daily profiles leaders of the future

The Leicester Mercury has produced two magazines profiling the most influential people on its patch together with thje likely leaders of the future. The two supplements totalling 96 pages came free inside the Mercury on September 11 and September 18

Regional publishers awarded local TV licences

Three successful bids announced by Ofcom

Former Times journalist joins Scottish daily as columnist

A former Scottish football correspondent at The Times has joined The Herald’s website as a sports columnist. Graham Spiers was previously chief sports writer at The Herald before he joined The Times and will now write a weekly column called

World record for regional daily paper girl, 81

Pensioner has delivered title for 40 years

Print jobs at risk in fresh Johnston Press cutbacks

Up to 16 positions could go at centre

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.