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January 2013 News

Regional daily barred from Mayor’s standards hearing

Councillors vote to hold hearing behind closed doors

It’s a wrap for newspaper after drugs raid drama

Police drugs bust splash given 10 pages of coverage

Ex-news editor dies after falling ill at wife’s birthday

Popular newsdesk chief received numerous ‘herograms’ for his work

Daily’s war memorial appeal brings cash flooding in

More than £600 raised within days for replica statue to be built in city

Weekly launches campaign to prevent cardiac deaths

Paper aims to get 100 defibrillators installed across county

Local reporter’s second crime novel published

A journalist and psychic turn murder detectives in new e-book

Weekly editor quits Johnston Press to travel the world

Journalist has worked for publisher for nearly 10 years

Peace breaks out as ‘advertising blackout’ lifted

Two new adverts mark ‘watershed’ in relations between authority and title

Reporter turns detective to track down stolen kitten

Journalist reunites animal with pet shop owner

Regional journalist turned business editor dies at 78

News chief was at helm of specialist newspaper for 13 years

Former journalist to get lifetime achievement award

Shortlist announced for Scottish media awards

Trainee reporter faces the chop for charity

Female reporter with waist-length hair braves a buzz cut

New HR director appointed for Johnston Press

Regional publisher Johnston Press has appointed Steve Gilliver as its group director of human resources, replacing Malcolm Vickers who left late last year. Steve, who takes up his ne role from 15 April, joined from Dell Inc., where he was

Scotsman MD leaves in JP management shake-up

Series of changes announced at regional publisher

Editor leaves regional daily for council PR role

Senior reporter appointed as acting editor

Former weekly journalist dies months after retirement

Reporter worked for same title for most of 46-year career

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.