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April 2017 News

Iliffe expansion continues with KM Group takeover

Publisher to take over 13 newspapers as well as website and radio station in ‘white knight’ deal

Regional publisher launches charity football challenge

Readers urged to do ‘keepie uppies’ to raise money for good cause

Journalism student beats 1,200 people to land ITV News job

Undergraduate impressed in final interview

Weekly’s special edition marks 10 years since earthquake on patch

Reporters share memories of tremor

Watchdog clears regional news site over CCTV of car crash

Driver involved claimed footage caused distress to family

Ex-daily journalist who helped launch weekly newspaper dies at 89

Former assistant editor also taught journalism

Regional press launches pre-election bid to fight fake news

Bid to highlight role of “highly trusted” newspapers

Pub critic attacks ‘appalling’ bid by bartenders to get column banned

Anonymous group petitions editor over writer

Health chiefs bar reporter from leaving meeting with ‘public’ documents

Trust to review policy after incident

Sacked regional daily photographer spared jail over child porn offences

Pervert was dismissed by newspaper after guilty verdict

Independent weekly bids to become ‘dementia friendly’ newspaper

Staff given training on how to help people with condition

Newspaper’s name dropped from social media channels in digital rebrand

Move follows website merger last month

Regional daily’s former production chief dies aged 101

Manager was “as important as the editor” at newspaper

Weekly urges readers to ditch cars in new congestion crackdown

Bid to ease congestion on patch

Regional daily backs patch’s City of Culture bid

New magazine launched to accompany push

Daily supplement marks 25 years since football triumph for patch

Extra copies available for supporters from further afield

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.