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December 2020 News

JPIMedia unveils National World as new owner

£10.2m takeover of publisher announced

Fond farewells: Remembering the journalists we lost in 2020

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

Reporting Excellence: The journalists who made a difference in 2020

We look back on the investigations and campaigns that made a difference

Hello, goodbye: The new titles launched in 2020 – and those we lost for good

A look back at the newspaper launches and closures over the past year

Our top 20 of 2020: Most-viewed HTFP posts tell story of the year

We look back at the year through the most viewed stories on HTFP in 2020

Vote for your favourite regional newspaper front page of 2020

Have your say in HTFP’s annual competition

Local news site smashes target for year by two million page views

Publisher reveals “huge spike” in readership

Regional press gives festive thanks – but also shows stark reality of Christmas 2020

Newspapers praise readers’ generosity and urge them to stay safe

Ex-democracy reporter takes on old employers with subscription news site

Journalists join forces to launch independent title

Editor who oversaw 21 weeklies bows out after 34-year career

Deputy steps up to fill role

‘O Come, All Ye Crateful': Porridge error boosts weekly’s Christmas appeal

Newspaper receives ten times the normal amount of oats by mistake

Daily urges ministers to save patch’s ‘last fishermen’ amid Brexit uncertainty

Newspaper petitions government after front page plea

Weekly wins right to name teens who photographed killer grandfather in court

Pair were protected by ordered until murderer’s sentencing

Editor takes on five extra titles after winning promotion

News chief says he has “big plans for 2021″

Council buys four-storey former newspaper office

Title moved down the road last year

Journalist wins international recognition for book on city’s Irish diaspora

Reporter’s “labour of love” published

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.