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January 2018 News

‘Demand for community news’ prompts new magazine launch

Hyperlocal group expands operation to four titles

Publisher announces job cuts plan at its newest newspaper titles

Voluntary redundancy scheme opened to all editorial staff

Crowdfunding bid launched to save axed weekly series

Campaign to raise £85,000 to take titles into community ownership

Ex-daily features editor admits having 31 child abuse images

Journalist to be sentenced next month

Council plans street cleaning cash boost after daily’s campaign

Newspaper launched bid after reader survey

Daily says sorry after re-using photograph of fatal crash

Daughter of man involved complained to IPSO about image

Ex-daily journalist takes on new role at expanding PR company

Ex-journalist has worked for police and fire services in past

Daily’s longest-serving reporter retires after 40 years with newspaper

Newsman’s first job in journalism was almost half a century ago

Weeklies shut within months of takeover with around 20 jobs set to go

“Falling advertising revenue and difficult trading climate” blamed for decision

Regional publisher’s farming magazine celebrates 125 years in print

Special edition produced to mark milestone

Trinity Mirror hyperlocal platform to absorb news website

Move set to take place later this month

Historic factory to close despite dailies’ campaign

Newspapers gathered 11,000 signatures for petition

Couple inadvertently name baby girl after weekly newspaper

Dad says he had never heard of town 200 miles from home

Ministers urge public to ‘exercise caution’ when speaking to journalists

New guidance issued for public on dealing with media after major incident

New newspaper launched in town which lost weekly last month

Independent publisher steps in after title’s closure at Christmas

Hyperlocal publishers launch bid to set up third newspaper

Pair raising funds for planned title

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.