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January 2013 News

New regulatory system soon, Hunt tells peers

PCC boss ‘optimistic of good outcome’ on Leveson

ITV licence holder wins Scottish local TV bid

The existing ITV licence holder for Scotland has won the right to set up local TV stations in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Broadcast regulator Ofcom has awarded the licences for setting up new ultra-local TV services in the two cities to

Weekly to move towns as part of local TV launch

Free paper will share newsroom and studio with new TV channel

Local press ‘not in any danger’ says Tindle

Veteran publisher promises ‘sunlit uplands’

Deputy editor leaves JP weekly after 33 years

One-paper man takes voluntary redundancy from Midlands title

Regional publisher buys wedding magazine

Long-standing publication is added to company’s portfolio of titles

Regional publisher rapped over ‘misleading’ TV advert

Ad for property website banned from further broadcast

Tributes paid as former women’s editor is laid to rest

Journalist died after long illness aged 91

The other side: things journalists do that annoy PRs

PR worker responds to the latest survey about annoying PR tactics

East of England media awards shortlist announced

All the contenders for EDF Energy-sponsored contest

Editor apologises to family over heart death splash

‘We got it wrong’ says regional daily news chief

Publishers in new bid to thrash out regulatory body

Attempts to find ‘Leveson-compliant’ system continue

Hyperlocal site mothballed after failing to find buyer

Website failed to attract buyer on eBay

Weekly newspaper rapped over inaccurate fraud story

PCC ruled against paper on story about housing association

Weekly’s appeal sees 15,000 toys handed out

Annual campaign ensures children are given gifts

Journalist turned PR boss in warning to sportswriters

Football club’s new communications director hits out over coverage

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.