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June 2017 News

Weekly journalist to take part in 2,300-mile charity ‘banger’ race

Motoring enthusiast aims to cross eight countries in old Saab

Husband delivers daily chief reporter’s first child at home

Panic after journalist went into labour early

Daily demands action to prevent Grenfell-style tragedy on patch

Debate continues on local press coverage in fire-hit area

Regional daily backs charity’s £3.9m expansion bid

Newspaper aims to help centre raise cash

Watchdog raps regional daily over council eviction story

Daily unable to prove it put claims to council before running story

Farmers raise more than £2,300 in memory of regional journalist

Farming editor died suddenly aged 43

Dog avoids vet appointment by hiding in weekly newspaper office

Canine has impromptu tour of newsroom

Ex-editor charged with improving fortunes of maritime city

Former news chief hopes to attract new investment

Weekly launches front page bid to rid patch of litter

Newspaper teams up with council for campaign

Bestselling crime author guest edits regional daily

Writer has long relationship with newspaper

Campaigner blasts Scottish government over FoI ‘screening’

Demand follows letter from journalists to Holyrood

Regional publisher increases cover price at more than 40 newspapers

Newsagents “absolutely livid” at move

Newspaper safe to use photo of bridge in suicide story

Victim’s sister claimed picture was distasteful

Daily’s EU poll on Brexit anniversary shows readers would now remain

Findings echo those of survey held six months ago

Daily reporter highly commended for work in medical journalism

Recognition for series on organ donation

Reporter debunks council claims by walking from toilet to toilet

Journalist’s trek follows partial U-turn after daily’s campaign

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.