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January 2018 News

‘Colourful character’ gets permanent memorial after weekly’s campaign

Newspaper raised funds after well-known personality’s death

Closed daily set to return as digital brand – but no word on print return

Owner says breaking news previously kept back “to protect falling newspaper sales”

Regional daily relaunches with ‘fresh’ look and redesigned masthead

“Bright, attractive and easy-to-read format” introduced

Harry Potter author steps in to dispel pub claim on regional news site

Novelist debunks “long-standing urban myth”

Weekly has ‘scrap’ day at the office after series of errors

Social media users point out spelling of town’s name was ‘purely’ wrong

Publisher launches new central digital teams with creation of 31 jobs

Units to focus on “socially-driven and trending content engagement”

Newspaper’s front page story prompts questions to May

Local MP intervene’s on behalf of bereaved family after bi-weekly’s splash

Absent MP returns to work 24 hours after regional daily’s exposé

Editor praises features writer who investigated politician

Newspaper’s office could become hotel and ‘sky bar’ with views across city

Regional publisher submits plan for development to council

Regional daily football sexism row reader stands by letter

Commentator took aim at regional newspaper correspondent over remarks

Editor who ran weekly for 23 years dies aged 89

Tributes to journalist who spent more than 40 years in regional press

Photojournalism student raises £5,000 after football match camera theft

Budding photographer says he has “lost everything” after FA Cup tie crime

Daily runs week-long campaign highlighting work of women on its patch

Series of articles to raise awareness of challenges faced across patch

Daily exposes viral fake news story over ‘dead’ rough sleeper

Media had been accused of “neglecting” false claim widely shared online

Daily relaunches bid for justice after coroner rules dad sexually assaulted baby

Newspaper described father as “baby rapist” when campaign began

Independent weekly beats local and national rivals to ‘crossbow killer’ scoop

Newspaper sells exclusive images to outlets across the country

Senior Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Lead – Chief Media Officer  Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Senior Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communication Planning Manager Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Manager NCTJ Saffron Walden, closes 26 Sep
Press Photographer North News and Pictures Newcastle, closes 19 Sep

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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.