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January 2018 News

Regional journalist in access row with court staff

Usher and clerk fail to understand judge’s ruling

Publisher launches website to replace closed weeklies he founded

Veteran entrepreneur launches hyperlocal news platform with daughter

Dyson at Large: Celebrating quality editorial at Johnston Press

Praise for regional daily over probe into MP’s absence from work

Zuckerberg says Facebook will ‘prioritise local news’ on users’ feeds

Site’s co-founder wants change to improve “civic engagement”

Journalist sacked after refusing to take obituaries editor job dies aged 77

Tributes paid to journalist who worked as letters editor at two dailies

Ex-daily editor backs blue plaque to remember Enoch Powell

Columnist shows support for idea at regional newspaper’s debate

Daily marks 10 years since ferry disaster with exclusive captain interview

Man in charge on fateful night speaks publicly for the first time to newspaper

Man cleared of inciting racial hatred over regional daily Facebook post

Defendant said comment had been sarcastic attempt to mock bigots

Regional publisher rebrands weekly following rival newspaper’s closure

Distribution of free title also set to increase

Ex-daily business journalist to help organise comedy festival

Reporter left newspaper for PR role last year

Law Column: Obtaining documents from the court

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing journalists

PR firm staffed entirely by ex-journalists lands Premier League club deal

Company named as official executive partner of top flight side

Weekly backs bid to save engineer training company from closure

Newspaper splashes on launch of campaign

Watchdog clears daily of privacy breach over picture of teenage pitch invader

Police issued image to newspaper as part of appeal following football incident

Weekly bids farewell to home of 49 years with special edition

Newspaper moves to new HQ a few hundred yards away

Journalists urged to help mark 50th anniversary of Teeline shorthand

Piers Morgan, Sophy Ridge and others hail 50 year milestone

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.