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September 2019 News

Business chief guest edits weekly to mark week-long celebration

CEO invited into office to give input on edition

Journalist who landed Stone of Scone theft scoop dies aged 99

Tributes to writer who served daily for 38 years

New appointments to aid NCTJ with ‘next stage’ of development

Trustees attend first board meeting

Newsroom became ‘difficult to work in’ says journalist who took VR

Reporter filmed on leaving day four weeks after breaking big story

Regional press photographers vie for royal picture prize

Members of public have until Friday to vote for favourite

Cartoon character auctions raise £1.3m for children’s charities

Cash to go to good causes after sale of sculptures

Daily journalists meet court chiefs in bid to improve press access

Courtroom seats for journalists among items on agenda

Journalist ‘in complete shock’ after wife dies in car crash

Couple had been together since student days

Publisher’s cash boost to help increase diversity in journalism

Fund aids would-be journalists from disadvantaged backgrounds

Web comments now prompt more complaints than stories, says editor

News chief says issue now among “most challenging” aspects of journalists’ jobs

Weekly launches ‘fact-check’ service for readers’ letters containing errors

Newspaper says feature has proved “quite popular and entertaining”

MP apologises to daily journalist over false claims in online rant

Public apology issued over “incorrect and intemperate statements”

Award-winning journalist who spent 23 years with daily dies aged 88

Tributes paid to writer who had “endless curiosity”

Daily front page honours heroic cat who snared teen burglar

Chief reporter tracked down brave pet after covering court case

Copy of daily from 116 years ago uncovered from time capsule

Newspaper from 1903 among items inside

Managers under threat in independent publisher’s shake-up

HTFP understands two jobs set to be lost in restructure

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.