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January 2013 News

Weekly editor overturns council bid for secrecy

Investigation into co-option procedures was due to be held in private

Football boss blanks sports reporter at press conference

Manager ignored questions by regional daily journalist

Dailies celebrate success of blood donor campaign

Hundreds signed up to appeal by two regional papers

Journalist’s book makes Spanish school reading list

Publication chosen as school textbook

Local TV to be rolled out to 28 more areas

Regulator announces awarding of licence for network multiplex

Messenger reporter named as county’s top journalist

Medway Messenger reporter Dan Bloom has been named Shepherd Neame Kent Journalist of the Year as the Kent Media Awards marked their 25th anniversary. Dan, who also won the Newspaper Journalist of the Year category, was described by the judges

Regional daily launches fight to halt Twitter bans

New campaign urges councils to stop hiding behind “outdated” rules

New look for weekly paper after 203 years

Relaunched paper features three new supplements and more pages

Reporting team hit the slopes in post-snow clean-up

Reporters and photographers cleared away debris including broken sledges

Photographer quits to focus on music career

Journalist and photographer worked for regional and international outlets

New laws on bailiffs follow regional daily’s exposé

Political reporter’s investigation influenced government reform

Local World boss foresees ’20-fold increase in content’

Publishers need to become one-stop shops says company chairman

Archant Lifestyle magazines now on Android

Regional publisher Archant has strengthened its digital portfolio and released its range of magazine titles for download from Android app stores. Following a successful initial release onto the Apple App Store last year, Archant Lifestyle has now celebrated the release

Football club bans journalists from vox pops at ground

Club defends move on health and safety grounds

Former editor hits out over ‘dismal’ conference turnout

Less than 20pc of SoE delegates were serving editors

Alcohol licence plan ‘could cost industry £7m a year’

Fresh row looming over government proposals for public notices

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.