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May 2021 News

Journalist dies aged 54 after return to hometown newspaper

Tributes paid to freelance who was a “brilliant man”

Chief reporter leaves industry after 30 years as wife takes new deputy editor role

Journalist couple move on to new challenge

‘Deeply loved and talented’ daily journalist dies aged 29

Head of social media was advocate for others struggling with mental health

Police probe ‘concerns’ over regional news site’s election coverage

Complaint being “assessed by officers”

Editor retakes charge of daily as colleague promoted to run sister title

News chief returns to role a year after restructure

Watchdog rejects disturbed reader’s complaint after charity backs up daily

Resident was affected by noise from events

Echo demands change in law as last Hillsborough trial collapses

Newspaper honours victims on front page

NMA honours chief executive as he prepares for departure

Month-long handover period begins

Cornish journalist vows to find best pasty and put debate ‘as old as time’ to bed

More than 600 nominations received in hours for news site’s contest

Publisher appoints youngest ever editor at age of 23

Company reveals promotions in regional expansion

Publisher introduces ‘ad-lite’ subscriptions at 11 titles to improve reader ‘experience’

All content will remain free to read

Regional press journalist who was ‘doyen of cricket writers’ dies aged 92

Tributes paid to writer who turned down Fleet Street

Daily launches post-season survey of fans after football ‘failure’

Project launched on newspaper’s front page

GB News reveals latest regional recruit as launch date announced

Journalist aims to amplify region’s “under-represented voices”

Society of Editors reveals new Regional Press Awards date

Virtual ceremony was postponed in March

BBC says sorry to regional journalist over response to Bashir query

Press office accidentally copies reporter into email chain

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.