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February 2013 News

Weeklies launch fight against hospital cuts

Papers back campaign by local people against site sell-off and job losses

Yorkshire Post journalist is Foot award runner-up

Series of investigations secure £2,000 prize for regional reporter

New university newsroom dedicated to journalist

A well-known national press journalist who started out at a regional daily will open a new university newsroom named in his honour. Matthew Engel will officially open the newsroom dedicated to him at the University of Northampton today. It will

Sports agent wins damages over article in weekly

Agent sued former football club chairman for libel

PA wins award for London 2012 coverage

Agency receives international accolade

Police force seeks community reporters for new project

Community reporters are being sought to experience life on the beat with Greater Manchester Police. People can apply to spend time with neighbourhood teams to see first-hand what local police do on a day-to-day basis – and will be asked

Crime reporter who first linked Moors Murders dies

Journalist was first to suggest disappearances may be connected

Regional daily goes part-free with 50,000 copy giveaway

Title launches bumper Friday edition in bid to boost readers

Former editor retrains as bicycle mechanic

Business launched after retired journalist gains new qualification

Special brew to mark weekly’s 150th anniversary

Special cask called Hop Off The Press launched to honour anniversary

Former sports editor’s tribute to ‘The Master’ Moore

Journalist who went on to Fleet Street and TV met footballer while at weekly

Training Matters: Big changes to seniors exam

New exams to be sat for the first time next week

Digital journalism specialist awarded European fellowship

An award-winning digital journalism specialist has been named as a fellow of a European programme which helps boost enterprise education. Francois Nel, who directs the Journalism Leaders Programme at the University of Central Lancashire, is among a select group of

New look for website as former editor eyes UK rollout

News chief sets sights on national network of sites

Weekly overturns naming ban on alleged rapist

Man accused of seven counts of rape of a girl under 16

Former regional daily sports editor dies aged 57

Football club bosses lead tributes

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.