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September 2019 News

Newsquest to appoint second manager to oversee community content roll-out

Publisher says journalists will be able to spend more time on original reporting

Editor steps down after 24 years with weekly as first female chief appointed

Newsman will continue to serve on independent title’s board

Johnson recalls regional press days at Number 10 reception

PM says he was regularly sent on ‘cat stuck up tree’ stories

Hyperlocal editor’s bid for wartime battle memorial moves step closer

Incident between white and black US servicemen left one dead

Daily Mail owner ‘frontrunner to buy the i’ say reports

National daily set to be hived-off in JPIMedia auction

First photographer at scene of Lockerbie disaster dies aged 80

Agency man won award for coverage of terrorist atrocity

Hunt turns to local paper for first interview after leadership battle

Former foreign secretary breaks silence after defeat

Journalist defends ‘snuffed it’ tweet after Brexiteer backlash

Comment goes viral after local MP retweet

Three paid-for weeklies relaunch as frees as websites merge

Company owner says move has been “long time coming”

Gallery to showcase daily’s history after interviews with ex-staffers

Editorial and production staff involved in project

Data unit probe reveals MPs breaching Facebook ad rules

Regional publisher data unit’s probe provides stories for 20 titles

Daily editor who taught journalists in former dictatorships dies aged 78

Tributes paid to news chief who was “great advocate of local newspapers”

Readers back weekly’s bid to bring Hollywood actor brothers to patch

“Office joke” evolves into campaign for film stars to help boost town’s profile

Archant chief executive to leave company after five years

Regional publisher’s chairman to take up new role as result

Jobs under threat as publisher shuts print plant which employs 96

Company to make “substantial cost savings” by outsourcing operations

Former daily editor publishes book on football heroes to help ex-player

Ex-news chief says project was “labour of love”

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.