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September 2012 News

Trinity Mirror boss joins board of PR agency

A senior executive in Trinity Mirror’s regional newspaper division has joined the board of a Bristol-based PR agency. Steve Anderson-Dixon, regional managing director for Trinity titles in the North-West and Wales, has become a non-executive director of communications consultancy JBP

Price hike for weekly as it marks 150th birthday

Editor promises ‘whole new look’ for paper

Weekly launches road safety campaign after deaths

Petition started for speed cameras at accident blackspot

Former Sheffield daily journalist dies aged 80

‘Outstanding’ reporter set up own PR agency

Regional daily chief sub moves on after 11 years

The chief sub-editor at Staffordshire daily The Sentinel has moved on after more than a decade with the title. Richard Bramwell joined the Northcliffe-owned daily in 2001 and has remained there since save for a seven-month break at the Manchester

New minister in charge of media as Hunt promoted

Maria Miller named as Culture, Media and Sports Secretary

Regional publisher recruits ‘non-journalist’ content staff

Union in dispute with company over job adverts

Weekly produces souvenir publication for steam fair

3,000 copies printed for annual event

PoW turned daily chief reporter dies aged 90

Editor pays tribute to ‘affable and gregarious character’

Reporter flies to Uganda for paper’s playground appeal

Campaign has raised more than £1,500 for charity

Photographer goes into print with football book

Hammers cult hero tells story of his career

Irish Post seeks new editor after Morse moves on

Another twist in journalist’s topsy-turvy career

Deadline approaches to enter NCTJ awards

Time is running out for student and trainee journalists to enter an annual awards scheme run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. The Awards for Excellence are held to celebrate the best work by students on NCTJ-accredited

More jobs at risk as JP axes second subbing hub

Work to be transferred 80 miles away

Director leaves Trinity Mirror after 30 years

Senior figure credited for creation of Media Scotland division

Weekly publishes clarification after ‘Mrs Twit’ complaint

Round-up of PCC cases involving regional newspapers

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.