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November 2012 News

Northcliffe sold to Montgomery consortium for £52m plus shares

Trinity and Iliffe join new regional press venture

Local World deal: Full texts of company statements

Statements published by Local World, DMGT and Trinity Mirror

Montgomery sets out vision to ‘resuscitate’ industry

We’ve not lost faith in print says new company boss

Local World deal: The full list of newspapers

Full run-down of newspapers and websites transferring to new owner

Newspaper overturns bid to keep lawyer’s name secret

Channel islands daily fights courtroom gag

Young reporter battles life-threatening brain tumour

Illness discovered after routine eye test

Dyson at Large: Page one design diluted splash

But HTFP blogger praises great junior sports pictures

‘Thank God for the regional press’ – Prescott

Defeated Labour peer slams national media

East of England awards deadline extended

Extra week to enter EDF Energy contest

Journalist’s novel conjures up sixties’ newsrooms

Book describes world of newspapers 50 years ago

Journalism student’s first book nominated for award

A journalism student whose first book was published earlier this year has been nominated for a literary award. Amy Durrant, a third year journalism student at Sheffield University, had her debut novel Prisms published in July by US publishing house

Let’s get banks off our backs, Highfield tells staff

JP titles in “excellent shape” says chief executive

Newspapers in £50k winter appeal to help elderly

Papers raise funds to keep older people warm

New editors appointed at Yorkshire weeklies

Move comes after retirement of previous post-holder

Weekly forms news-sharing partnership with blog

Blog editor becomes community correspondent for independent title

Journalists complete run in memory of colleague

Charity run carried out after death of chief editorial assistant

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.