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May 2020 News

PA axes 27 journalists after Microsoft contract ends

Agency “doing everything we can” to support affected staff

Industry rallies behind daily journalists after reporter forced to flee home

UK-wide support has “reinforced our resolve”, says editor

Convicted fraudster loses second photo complaint against daily

Defendant said she did not have chance to disguise or cover her face

First of more than 100 UK newsrooms to win Google crisis funding revealed

Initiative aimed at helping small and medium-sized titles through coronavirus

Weekly’s first female editor who ran title for 26 years dies aged 85

Tributes paid to “superb professional”

Daily’s probe reveals hundreds sent to care homes untested or with coronavirus

Journalist’s investigation shows scale of issue

Retired sports editor dyes wife’s hair in lockdown challenge

Former journalist writes of experience for old paper

Weekly launches bid to create photographic history of patch

Online archive to be created for readers’ memories

Editor slams council press office over failure to take phone calls

Authority also criticised over lack of press access to meetings

Barnard Castle weekly praised for not splashing on Dominic Cummings

Readers and former editor applaud newspaper’s decision

Terror group denies threats against journalists, say clergymen

Denial comes after newspapers’ joint stand against intimidation

Applications open for share of £60k fund for independent publishers

Grants aim to help titles struggling due to coronavirus crisis

Journalism roles believed safe as jobs to be axed in local radio shake-up

Up to 160 posts estimated to be at risk

Journalist who ended career on daily’s newsdesk dies aged 79

Lockdown meant family were unable to visit him in final days

Reporter forced to flee home after death threat online

Gang also abused colleagues at daily’s office

Former daily newsdesk chief dies after cancer fight aged 67

Tributes paid to “exceptional” news and features editor

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.