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March 2013 News

Students launch new magazine with 24-hour turnaround

Aspiring journalists have just a day to write, design and publish online mag

Regional daily’s sister free relaunched with new name

Paper revived to make it more attractive to advertisers

Sunday title launches new magazine-style app

Application allows users to access archived features

Weekly’s pull-out looks into new airport plans

Reporters compile special report on controversial proposals

Fleet Street Fox to hold journalism masterclass

A regional journalist-turned-Fleet Street blogger is to hold a masterclass for student reporters, giving the inside scoop on the tabloids and tips for their future careers. Fleet Street Fox will appear at the University of Sunderland on March 18, just

Journalist barred from meeting on councillor’s conduct

Paper revealed that councillor posted anti-Islamic comments on Facebook

New independent weekly set to be launched

Title will have print run of 20,000

Newsagents hit out again over cover price rises

Retailers protest at ‘body blow’ by publishers

Entries open for South West media awards

Download entry form for EDF Energy contest here

Crunch by-election prompts early morning edition

Regional daily correctly predicted poll outcome

Incinerator inquiry sparks unusual front page

‘Giant standfirst’ created by paper

Manchester operator wins second local TV franchise

Station plans to create additional 29 jobs

Newspapers to jump ‘Ship’ in city centre office move

Move comes as award-winning offices now “too big” after staff cuts

Outspoken councillor quits after newspaper poll

Readers show outrage over claims disabled children “should be put down”

Newsquest owners under fire over shareholder payout

Regional publishing giant Gannett has come under fire from the National Union of Journalists for announcing a bumper pay-out to shareholders as its UK employees face another year of frozen salaries. Gannett, whose UK regional publishing arm Newsquest runs papers

Town hall Pravdas under fresh attack from government

Council tenders for £20m contract to print papers for other authorities

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.