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June 2014 News

Sports journalists welcome Games wi-fi fee cut

Organisers slash charges by 50pc

Dyson at Large: Trinity Mirror in £350,000 giveaway

iPad app will let readers get newspaper for free

Photographers ‘under threat at West Country titles’

NUJ condemns Local World proposals

Long-serving former court reporter dies aged 80

Journalist drove Flying Scotsman when it visited patch

New website will focus on independence vote

Johnston Press sets up portal to drive debate

Newspaper photo archive plan wins £60k lottery funding

Regional daily project secures heritage fund backing

Former reporter tells tale of violence and corruption

Ex-regional daily journalist publishes debut novel

Law Column: What price freedom of expression?

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing the profession

Bicycling editor raises hundreds in friend’s memory

Family take part in cycle marathon

Journalists vote to strike at North West titles

Ballot fiollowed production hub switch

Trio of veterans leave regional daily sportsdesk

Editor pays tribute to ‘wonderful servants’

Johnston Press urges companies to advertise online

Company launches nationwide ‘Think Digital’ campaign

Publisher appoints new newspaper sales chief

Internal promotion announced at Local World

Training body seeks views on journalism apprenticeships

NCTJ urges employers to complete survey

Weekly features editor receives freedom of borough

Civic honour for veteran journalist

Editor moves back to reporting after seven years

New news chief named for South Wales weekly

News Reporter MyLocalNews Hemel Hempstead, closes 10 Feb
Editor Moneyfacts Group Norwich/Remote, closes 6 Feb
Senior Journalist Midland News Association - Express and Star Wolverhampton, closes 10 Jan
Multi-media Journalist Veterinary Business Development Peterborough/Remote, closes 16 Jan

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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.