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August 2013 News

Reporter challenges court order in child neglect case

Regional daily journalist successfully argued against Section 39 order

Daily breaks news of One Direction star’s engagement

Paper beat off world’s media for exclusive

Paper’s health campaign praised after national roll-out

Regional daily started campaign five years ago to encourage health checks

Saturday sports title relaunched as weekly supplement

Newspaper ceased publication as standalone title in 2002

Sales fall for newspapers in Northern Ireland

ABC figures released for Irish titles

Editor’s marathon raises more than £5k for heart charity

Funds will be used by local branch towards two appeals

Editorial director to retire after 40 years in regional press

Two daily titles edited over last 23 years

‘Local newspapers are not dead’ insists Satchwell

Society of Editors boss rebuffs industry doom-mongers

Photographer who worked at daily for 47 years dies at 84

Former photographer joined title at age of 14

Pickles opens up planning appeals to journalists

Fresh warning issued to councils over allowing tweeting and filming

Bob Satchwell: The future may be tough, but it is not all gloomy

The penultimate extract in our What Do We Mean By Local? series

Dyson at Large: Notorious local criminals sell papers

Top nib catches blogger’s eye

Trinity Mirror rebrands free title in line with new series

Newspaper joins sister weeklies launched earlier this year

Councillor threatens reporter with ‘revenge’ over stories

Threats made to weekly journalist following stories published by title

Former weekly journalist becomes biscuit maker

Business set up to produce one of Britain’s oldest biscuits

Regional daily celebrates 125th anniversary

BBQ held for all staff to mark milestone birthday

Senior Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Lead – Chief Media Officer  Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Senior Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communication Planning Manager Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Manager NCTJ Saffron Walden, closes 26 Sep
Press Photographer North News and Pictures Newcastle, closes 13 Sep

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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.