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February 2018 News

North East dailies leave offices after more than 50 years

Last day at HQ originally opened by PM Harold Wilson

Almost 50 jobs at risk as Trinity Mirror unveils online rebrand of seven dailies

‘Live’ online brand rolled out to seven more regional dailies.

Journalist who spent almost half a century in local press dies aged 84

Tributes to former chief sub-editor with “encyclopaedic knowledge”

Mystery donor pays for £25,000 rough sleeper bus after daily’s appeal

Newspaper story prompts generous gesture

Newsquest boss urges multinational to ditch ‘fake news’ sites for local press

Company threatens to pull advertising from sites promoting extreme content

Regional daily to absorb sister weekly’s online platform

Publisher says move will form “powerful alliance” between titles

Publisher hands out cash prizes to titles with most UGC

Newsquest rewards top-performing titles in submitted content and social media growth

Independent local newspaper celebrates 25 years in print

Special masthead adorns anniversary edition

NMA hits out at ministers over council newspapers climbdown

Call comes after publication frequency compliance deadline scrapped

Publisher’s online tool helps fans predict teams’ fortunes

Supporters can now work out league tables using gadget

Publisher to keep reporters on patch as weeklies’ office move touted

Company may also renovate newspapers’ current home

Daily returns as digital-only venture less than six months after closure

MPs lead tributes to newspaper’s digital return

Irvine quits as MEN editor in major Trinity Mirror reshuffle

News chief departs after six years in charge

Weekly calls for end to mobile phone madness after killer driver locked up

Truck driver killed pedestrian while ‘distracted’

Editor fined for identifying sex victim launches second appeal

Convict says victim and sister ‘could not be distinguished’ by article’s content

Daily vows to ‘name and shame’ fly-tippers as part of cleaner streets bid

Newspaper splashes on illegal dumping court case

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.