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October 2012 News

Regional press director completes South African cycle ride

Fundraising wins praise from former rugby captain

Northcliffe Media ‘could be sold’ to form new company

Talks reported to be taking place over publisher’s future

Tributes after photographer loses cancer fight at 49

Freelance snapper became renowned for motorsport images

Newspaper goes sepia as it marks 7,000th edition

Another milestone for long-serving editor

Weekly reveals former journalist’s ‘James Bond’ role

Ex-news editor helped steal three enemy ships

Local press career inspires journalist’s first novel

Book based on own experiences in the regional press

Editorial director bows out after 41-year career

Local press journalist spent 26 years as an editor

Rival publishers collaborate over local TV bid

Local newspapers to exchange information for videos

Ex-editor returns to weekly as columnist

A former weekly newspaper editor has returned to his old paper to resume a column he wrote while at the helm of the title. Bill Heaney will return to the Lennox Herald to write the Notebook column which he wrote

Newsquest journalists in further industrial action on pay

Two chapels holding mandatory meetings

Regional publisher to roll-out new-look websites

All titles across group to be relaunched on new system

Regional editor: Leveson is unstoppable ‘juggernaut’

News chief says impact of phone hacking ‘too big’

Weekly uncovers fresh angle in Savile scandal

Former TV newsreader says complaints about DJ were ‘laughed at’

Regional daily editor chairs mayoral hustings

A regional daily is holding four hustings events where candidates for the upcoming mayoral elections will be quizzed. The Bristol Post will hold the debates for its readers in the run-up to the election on 15 November, when the city will vote

Tindle warns of ‘biggest threat to free press in 65 years’

Licensing regime would prevent new title launches says entrepreneur

New publisher named to lead Kent titles

Former editorial director returns to 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.