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December 2019 News

Time to vote for the best regional front page of 2019

View our shortlist of ten contenders for annual prize

Group’s data journalism chief leaves role after six years

Unit head “enormously proud” of achievements

Senior editor promoted to run publisher’s hyperlocal news service

Digital chief “very proud” to take on new role

Review of the Year: Remembering those we lost in 2019

A selection of the obituaries for regional journalists and industry leaders carried by HTFP over the past 12 months

Review of 2019: The campaigns that made a difference

We look back at the work of journalists which prompted change

Review of 2019: Year of uncertainty gives way to 2020 vision

We take a look back at the last 12 months in the regional press

University probes journalism lecturer’s anti-Tory ‘vermin’ tweets

Investigation launched after post-election online posts

News website names child rapist after he turns 18

Teenager was protected despite being “ongoing risk to young girls”

Dyson at Large: Regional heroes standing up to political stupidity and extremism

Former editor names the five journalists who stood out for him this year

NHS honours retired weekly journalist for 65 years of voluntary work

Former chief district reporter’s roles included press officer and trustee

Weekly makes Christmas Eve bid to reach out to patch’s lonely

Editor also urges readers to help those they think may be struggling

Weekly teams up with ice hockey club to launch new show

Hopes event will become regular occurrence during season

Pair to face crown court hearing over alleged mugging of journalist

Court hears spectacles, vape and wallet were taken from editor

Journalist retires just days shy of half a century with newspaper

Former compositor retrained as reporter

Weekly says sorry over front page photo of innocent man

Picture’s subject had “nothing whatsoever” to do with death case

Editor hits back at criticism over Christmas-themed police appeal series

Complaints wrongly accuse daily of “picking and choosing” those profiled

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.