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March 2013 News

Bid to exempt local press from new regulatory system

Amendment would exclude publishers focusing on ‘specific locality’

Former editor to launch UK version of Aussie site

Jaspan set to return to UK after success overseas

Three weeklies shrink to tabloid size in JP relaunch

Johnston Press titles have downsized following reader feedback

Cameron praises print-only title on its fifth birthday

We won’t give away news for free says editor

‘Mother of newsroom’ marks 30 years with weekly

Surprise celebration by colleagues marks milestone anniversary

Editor puts himself behind bars in charity stunt

‘People offered money to keep me in jail’ says news chief

Major marketing campaign to mark magazine relaunch

Change of name heralds advertising drive

Monthly sales pick up at leading Scottish titles

Sales figures for two leading Scottish newspapers saw a slight increase in February according to the latest report. Circulation for the Daily Record and sister title the Sunday Mail rose by 1.78pc and 1.82pc respectively, according to the monmhtly multi-platform

Scottish weeklies to regain their own editors

Clutch of new appointments announced by Trinity Mirror

Local press backlash grows against Royal Charter plan

‘Red line has been crossed’ says NS

New job site launched by top-selling regional daily

The UK’s biggest-selling regional daily and its sister titles have launched new job websites. The Express and Star and other titles in the Claverley group, the Shropshire Star, the Jersey Evening Post and the Guernsey Press, appointed HotLizard to create

Weekly press photographer faces deportation after blunders

Snapper told he is not a British citizen despite being born in UK

London daily may face exclusion over Budget leak

Journalist suspended after key measures appear on Twitter

Tributes to former sub who spent 50 years in papers

Journalist continued to proof-read pages until shortly before death

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.