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March 2013 News

E-book tells of renowned journalist’s flight with Hitler

Publication marks 80 years since reporter boarded plane

Weekly launches £200k campaign to bring toddler home

Cash will help pay for care and equipment for brain-damaged youngster

Stop hiding behind press offices, editor tells councils

Editor hits out after ‘growing trend’ to restrict free speech

More internal promotions announced at Scottish daily

Two further internal promotions have been announced at Glasgow-based daily The Herald following deputy editor Magnus Llewellin’s move to the editor’s chair. Senior assistant editor Barclay McBain has been promoted to deputy editor with his role going to Graeme Smith.

Dyson at Large: Why was Cregan plea change on Page 5?

Tongue-twisting headlines and exclamation marks at North West weekly

Anger over MP’s call to ‘ban journalists’ from Commons

Press Gallery voices dismay over Labour MP’s comments

New editor appointed for regional Sunday title

Journalist had been working as temporary editor of sister paper

Weekly overturns ban on naming of dead abuse victims

Order had no legal basis, prosecutor admits

Scotsman brand reaches 1m readers a month

Print and online readership figures published for leading titles

New hyperlocal site launched for London district

A new hyperlocal website focusing on news and entertainment has been launched for a trendy suburb of North London. The Dalstonist has been launched by journalist Mark Wilding to provide people in the E8 postcode with events and listings, along

Facebook project becomes printed paper in three years

Free title focuses on life and style in city

Johnston Press reveals it cut 1,300 jobs in 2012

Revenues fall by 12pc at newspaper publisher

Entries top 600 for Regional Press Awards

Judging under way for Society of Editors prizes

Regional daily reporters spend 24 hours in A&E

Journalists tweeted live from under-pressure hospital

Law Column: Pre-emptive strikes against regional dailies

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the industry

Royal Charter deal will ‘cripple regional newspapers’ says NS

Cameron urges industry to get behind deal on press regulation

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.