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October 2012 News

News editor steps up to top job at Irish weekly

Successor to Murray Morse announced

Northcliffe poaches bosses from radio and print rivals

Homecomings for new divisional MDs

Highfield: We won’t join regional press consortium

Chief executive says he wants to focus on paying off debts

Weekly withdraws edition over wrong photo of drug dealer

Innocent man with same name pictured alongside story

Holidaying news editor caught up in Superstorm Sandy

Journalists give their account of New York disaster

‘Ghostbuster’ reporter spends night at ‘haunted’ club

Weekly journalist left cynical after experience

Blue plaque unveiled to regional daily’s founder

Event marks 275 years since paper was launched

New group editor appointed for London weeklies

Previous post-holder has moved to The Sun

Former JP sales director joins Northcliffe

A former newspaper sales director at Johnston Press has joined Northcliffe Media’s team in the South West. Ken Sim, left, is a former director of newspaper sales and promotions who worked for Johnston Press South in Portsmouth, but will join Northcliffe’s South

Scottish daily raises cover price to £1.10

Scottish daily The Herald has increased its cover price to £1.10 due to “significant increases” in production costs. The increase affects its Monday-Friday editions which previously sold for £1 on the newsstands, while the Sunday Herald is understood to be keeping

Two former regional editors join forces for local TV bid

News chief bounces back after quitting last month

Former journalist honoured by Prime Minister dies at 73

Reporter went on to become lecturer

Weekly holds dinner dance to mark 275th anniversary

Meal will be inspired by historic dishes

Carnival campaign is quick win for regional daily

Popular event saved from axe

Scottish daily to highlight 100 most influential people

Project sees 20 people unveiled each day

Daily news battle hots up in South West city

Regional daily sets up city base for reporters

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.