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December 2018 News

Weekly rapped for publishing excessive details of ‘unusual’ suicide

Newspaper accepted it had “fallen short” of standards expected

Review of the Year: Famous names pass into newspaper history

A look back at the last 12 months in regional media

Review of the Year: Remembering the journalists we lost in 2018

A selection of some of the obits we have featured on HTFP over the past 12 months

Review of the Year: How the regional press fought and won for its readers

A look at campaign successes for newspapers across the country

Dyson at Large: Johnston Press journalists are the regional heroes of 2018

HTFP blogger lists the hacks who impressed him most in 2018

Vote for your regional newspaper Front Page of 2018

Our final shorlist of contenders for annual prize

Daily defends front page headline revealing Santa is “not real”

Parents upset as mum goes public on decision to tell truth about Father Christmas

Editor attacks ‘undemocratic’ health chiefs after weekly banned from meeting

News chief warns standing of press being “gradually eroded”

Daily’s departure board front page marks airport name change plan

Editor hails “big step” in bid to revive patch transport hub

Reporter helps Father Christmas raise funds for struggling families

Journalist joins Santa Claus as he tours weekly’s patch

City news website smashes Christmas foodbank campaign target twice over

Title aimed to collect 100 tonnes of food ahead of festive season

Revived weekly edition axed again because it ‘no longer makes financial sense’

Editor tells readers “the sums don’t add up” in farewell piece

Striking journalists get cross-party political backing over walkout

Union members involved in walkout over “poor pay”

Lockerbie’s local paper commemorates 30 years since air disaster

Townsfolk go public for first time on memories of tragedy

Former weekly editorial chief takes up new role on IPSO board

Appointments made by press watchdog

Former regional press journalist writes book on industry’s ‘golden age’

Journalism trainer examines local newspapers in Victorian era

Press Officer Ministry of Justice Westminster, closes 19 Feb
News Reporters and Sub-Editors DMG Media London, closes 21 Feb
News Reporter MyLocalNews Hemel Hempstead, closes 10 Feb
Financial Data Journalist Moneyfacts Group Norwich/Remote, closes 7 Mar
Editor Moneyfacts Group Norwich/Remote, closes 4 Mar
Multi-media Journalist Veterinary Business Development Peterborough/Remote, closes 13 Feb

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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.