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September 2020 News

Ex-regional journalist takes over as SJA chair

Organisation aiming to “expand service” to young journalists

Weekly reveals return to profit less than six months after closure threat

MD cites staff investment and cover price rise

Crime reporter who was ‘held in the highest esteem’ dies aged 82

Tributes paid to “good writer and good companion”

Campaigning journalism poll welcomes national entries for the first time

Vote to be held next week

Ex-daily colleagues unite for unusual travel guide to patch

Editor left copies across city to promote book

Chief executive rules out fresh Reach bid for JPIMedia

Publishing boss says “the price isn’t right” for rival

Campaigners urge journalists to avoid reference to road ‘accidents’

Guidelines also want end to “negative generalisations of road users”

Ministers vow to look at regional press support after Labour challenge

MP claims pleas have “fallen on deaf ears”

Fight to name murderer shows court journalists’ ‘importance’, says reporter

Application backed by prosecutors, police and victim’s family

Photojournalist whose home served as press production office dies aged 88

Tributes paid to weekly’s former chief photographer

Regional press backs app drive in latest phase of coronavirus campaign

Calls run as part of government ad partnership

Reporter jumps out of plane for hospice where mum works

Journalist raises £500 for charity

Reach reveals £28.9m profit after ‘strong’ digital recovery and restructure

Company performing “materially ahead of market expectations”

Charity launches promotional bid after saving journalists from homelessness

Organisation aims to promote work to those in industry

Political journalist who covered council’s defiance of Thatcher dies aged 71

Award winner “always cut through the chaos”

Farming journalist wins parliamentary recognition for services to agriculture

Praise given to “great ambassador for the industry”

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.