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February 2013 News

Law Column: Are Section 11 Orders a slippery slope?

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry.

Newspaper scores hit with video of singing MP

Sunday Politics show features politician singing Grease classic

Sustainability reporter moves to new role with publisher

A journalist who became a sustainability correspondent for a regional publisher has moved to a new role as a news feature writer. Tara Greaves, left, has been seconded for the last two and a half years to Archant’s corporate team where

Regionals ‘may boycott new regulatory system’ – blogger

Fresh concern expressed about proposed arbitration system

Regional reporter takes on nationals for top award

Weekly’s drug-driving campaign also commended by judges

Editor lodges complaint after BBC refuses to share footage

Beeb held back footage despite media pooling agreement

Photographers take redundancy at regional daily

Bosses confirm team has been reduced by two

Hollywood star honoured thanks to daily’s campaign

Movie icon Burton to get a Walk of Fame star

Regional newspapers back paid internship scheme

Interns to get work experience placement of up to three months

New Year photography project enters 10th year

Images from first 24 hours of 2013 to go on show

Walkie-talkies boost coverage of historic football match

Weekly publishes 40-page special to mark annual event

Regional publisher launches employment agency site

A regional publisher which has just launched an employment agency has now created a website for the business. The Midland News Association, which publishes the Express and Star, set up standalone agency Star Employment Services in Wolverhampton to find staff for

Local TV provider named for Yorkshire city

Station will aim to bridge ‘democratic deficit’

Former editor hits out at “arrogant” newspaper bosses

Journalist blames publishers for the decline of the industry

Daily editor urges caution over Royal Charter plans

Proposals could invite spurious claims says news chief

Horsemeat horror doubles web hits for local papers

Online traffic soars after UK plants implicated

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.