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February 2013 News

Bond-themed ad wrap marks first for Scottish daily

Paper’s first-ever wrap-around in honour of new ‘Skyfall’ train

Former journalists team up in PR agency venture

Former weekly news editor joins ex-Fleet Street journalist to launch company

Paper ‘girl’ still delivering at the age of 85

Daily’s delivery girl could be new contender for Guinness World Record

Weekly’s cover price rise triggers Facebook protests

Angry readers threaten to stop buying paper after 50pc hike

Press photographer celebrates birthday with Marines

Weekly staffer was in Norway with local regiment

Newspaper rapped for use of subterfuge in undercover exposé

Weekly used subterfuge to gather evidence

Green ‘un to make comeback after 40 years

FA Cup tie heralds return of sports edition

New look for award-winning newspaper website

Redesign aims to make site easier to use

Transport reporter joins train company in PR role

A transport journalist at Scottish daily The Herald is leaving the paper after 10 years to take on a PR role with Virgin Trains. Damien Henderson will leave the title at the end of the month to take on the role

Sales fall for Northern Ireland paid-for titles

Half-yearly ABC figures for Northern Ireland dailies and weeklies

News agency boss wins local TV bid for Liverpool

Station will serve 2.8m viewers

Former editors join forces to write pilot’s biography

Journalists worked together at regional daily 25 years ago

Press photographer snaps suspected thieves in the act

Innocent snowfall image becomes evidence in police investigation

Dailies join campaign to help young jobseekers

Regionals join forces with business leaders to help jobless into work

Regional media issues top agenda at spring conference

April gathering to focus on editors’ concerns

Revamped weekly sticks to broadsheet format

Title is latest to benefit from publisher’s relaunch programme

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.