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April 2017 News

Journalist wins beauty pageant she was sent to cover for regional daily

Reporter will now compete in final of Miss England

Regional daily launches unique fantasy cricket competition

Teams to be made up of players from local league

Editor lands election exclusive with Prime Minister on first day in job

Round-up of how regional press covered yesterday’s announcement

Sunday newspaper and 17 jobs saved as football chairman steps in

Title announced closure two weeks ago

Editor bounces back from weekly’s closure with magazine launch

News chief hopes to trigger ‘slow news’ movement across county

Sports reporter takes on one of UK football journalism’s biggest jobs

Journalist to spearhead coverage of one of world’s most well-known clubs

Dyson at Large: Eight cheery thoughts for life after newspapers

HTFP blogger gives advice on opportunities for journalists

Dailies runs snap election specials within hour of Theresa May’s speech

News makes front pages with minutes to spare before deadline

Journalist takes part in World Coal Carrying Championships

Executive editor vows to return after finishing 11th in heat

Publisher hails record online growth as 7m use websites

Editor-in-chief hails last month’s “stunning performance”

Newspapers and website shut down after founder’s sudden death

Tributes to journalist vowed that newly-launched title would have “no cats up trees”

Law Column: Reasons to be cheerful

Our legal expert looks at Supreme Court judgement on ‘No win no fee’ agreements

Industry’s longest-serving daily editor bows out after 25 years

News chief to launch own business

Weekly supplement celebrates 20 years since football club’s cup run

Team reached semi-finals of FA Cup

Sports journalist celebrates 60 years with wife he met at newspaper

Former deputy sports editor spent 42 years with regional daily

Driver cleared over ‘road rage’ death loses complaint against weekly

Copy used came from agency reporter

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.