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October 2019 News

Council plans to charge journalists for making FoI requests

Authority says press using legislation for “personal or financial advantage”

More than 170 make shortlist for annual media awards

More than 20 prizes up for grabs

Editor says sorry for front page ‘criminal mug shot’ of city’s black mayor

News chief apologises after initially defending splash

Daily reunites dying man with Babestation model he wants to name in will

Pair chatted on TV sex line around 2010

Daily issues warning after fraudster puts bag on head to avoid cameras

Newspaper advises readers against doing same

Former regional daily journalist wins national blogging award

Ex-deputy news editor “absolutely over the moon”

Former columnist’s public affairs ‘Bible’ chosen as core journalism textbook

Journalist now teaches at university

Weekly’s masthead goes gold as it celebrates 100 years in print

Newspaper marks centenary with special edition

Book written by terminally ill journalist published posthumously

Cancer diagnosis prompted writer to work from hospital bed

Daily runs birthday masthead to mark 20 years since website’s launch

Newspaper celebrates two decades of bringing readers news online

Former regional journalist to stand for Labour at election

Candidate has served as councillor for six years

Senior editor takes up chairmanship of children’s charity

Fund was revived with daily news chief’s help in 1994

Potential JPIMedia bidder admits interest in national broadsheet

Ex-regional press chief touted as buyer for regional titles

Judge rejects daily’s bid to name ‘danger to public’ who strangled date

Court heard teen poses “very high risk” to women with whom he is intimate

Industry warned to ‘promote print’ or face sales slump in newsagents’ shops

Trade body says newsstands will be “placed further back” unless action taken

Regional publisher appoints new ‘guru’ to head up digital content

Promotion for former car salesman, farmer and publican

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.