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February 2013 News

Newspaper overturns naming ban in exploitation case

Editor made court submission on behalf of title

Plans unveiled for Royal Charter to regulate press

.Recognition Panel will validate industry regulator

Jobs to go as Local World looks for synergies

Former Iliffe centres affected by cutbacks

Newsagents welcome cover price rises at Scottish weeklies

Newsagents have welcomed an increase in cover prices at Trinity Mirror regional titles in Scotland. A number of weekly titles at the publisher’s Media Scotland division have increased their prices and this has been accompanied by pro rata retail terms,

Regional publisher’s advertising revenues fall 4.7pc

Company’s financial results from last quarter of 2012 published

News website forms partnership with talking newspaper

An independent news website will be used as a story source for audio recordings for blind people for the first time. Articles posted on SalfordOnline.com will be used for some of the recordings created by Salford Talking Newspaper, whose 80 volunteers produce

Scottish title shortlisted against nationals for award

A Scottish Sunday title will battle it out against a number of national newspapers to win a prize at this year’s Press Awards. The Sunday Post has been shortlisted for the Cudlipp Award for an expose on a puzzle firm

Photographer who snapped jurors cleared of contempt

Judge ruled there was no intent to intimidate jury members

Digital boss steps up to content director

New roles created following company merger

Regional daily joins website for data journalism project

Initiative will examine the numbers behind the stories

Training blog: An exciting time to go into journalism

Sun man’s upbeat message to student council

Student paper gagged by union in legal row

Editors hit back with a splash revealing how union “censored” paper

Freelance journalist fights police order on video footage

NUJ backing fight against handing over material

Journalism classmates from 1970s sought for reunion

Two former students from a journalism course in the 1970s are organising a reunion of their classmates. Phil Taylor and Dave Wilson attended the 1972-3 course at Harris College in Preston, which was accredited by the National Council for the

Award-winning reporter under threat in job cuts plan

Midlands Journalist of the Year among 92 facing the axe

Council backs down over banning press from meetings

Failed plans would have seen committees meet in private

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.