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December 2012 News

Weekly hit by council ad blackout after critical piece

Editor says move has cost it £9,000

Anniversary special marks weekly’s 275 years

Paper produced a 32-page supplement to mark the occasion

Expenses story warning sparks new Leveson backlash

Government adviser tried to influence coverage

Journalist who emigrated to Spain dies of mystery illness at 38

Reporter worked at English language paper in Costa Brava

Dyson at Large: A paper Montgomery must champion

Our blogger reviews Midlands weekly

Future Archbishop to take editor’s chair at regional daily

Bishop will take part in second guest editorship

Weekly targets expats with launch of digital edition

Online newspaper carries same £1 cover price

Trinity Mirror appoints new sales and marketing director

Trinity Mirror has appointed a new group newspaper sales and marketing director who will work across its regional and national titles. Neil Jagger, left, will join the company early next year from Associated Newspapers, where he has been circulation director

Mail executive joins board of oldest press club

Birmingham Mail executive editor Stacey Barnfield has joined the board of the Birmingham Press Club. Stacey, who started his career on the Solihull News 20 years ago, is the latest recruit to help run the club, which dates back to

Regional daily editor completes Everest trek

Climb raises funds for paper’s charity

Northcliffe and Iliffe execs join Local World top team

Three publishing divisions for newly-merged company

Employment agency launched by regional publisher

Move aims to generate new revenues for company

Sportswriter in “conscience quit” joins club as PR boss

Journalist who left industry with attack on other writers lands new role

Satchwell rebuffs Labour over draft Press bill

‘There cannot be a part-free media’ says SoE chief

Journalist who became equestrian PR man dies at 93

Journalist served in Merchant Navy in Second World War

Weekly editor honoured for 25 years with publisher

Former managing director also recognised at ceremony

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.