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January 2013 News

Council plans could see journalists barred from meetings

Union and weekly reporter hit out at move

Regional daily to discuss new-look website at digital event

Britain’s biggest-selling regional daily is to share details about its new-look website at a meeting of digital editors. The Wolverhampton-based Express and Star relaunched its website in September with a responsive design which automatically resizes the layout according to the

Highfield reveals local TV plans for Johnston Press

‘Ultra-local’ stations could be created for small communities

Tributes paid after former court reporter dies at 68

Journalist worked for regional daily for 25 years

Ex-journalist peer backs statutory press curbs

Former reporter blames “deeply rotten culture” of press

Law Column: How to overturn a libel settlement

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry

Journalism lecturer’s new job sees him switch universities

A journalism lecturer has been appointed to a new role leading the subject at another university. John Mair has left his role as associate senior lecturer in broadcast journalism at Coventry University and moved to become subject leader for journalism

Victory for daily’s campaign over parking charges

Hundreds of residents, politicians and traders got involved

New look for regional daily as next phase of JP relaunches begins

Regional daily kicks off next series of revamps at regional publisher

News editor retires after 46 years on local papers

Top journalist says he “never fancied” moving to Fleet Street

Snow joke! Weather leads to online readership boom

Newspapers took to the web to keep people updated

Council manager’s complaint against newspaper rejected

Newspaper claimed town hall official jumped housing queue

Weekly’s top reporter leaves to edit county magazine

Journalist started out as a telesales rep 10 years ago

Watchdog to look into Northcliffe-Iliffe merger

Comments invited on Local World deal

Sacked sports editor admits false expense claims

Journalist claimed for car mileage after travelling on fans’ bus

Long-serving reporter leaves after 12 years

A popular reporter described as “a friend” to all the communities he worked with has left his local paper after 12 years. Ross Lidbetter, now aged 31, started at the Croydon Advertiser as a teenager but has now taken voluntary

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.