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December 2021 News

Review of 2021: Post-pandemic bounce triggers industry jobs boom

First in a series of pieces looking back at the past 12 months in regional journalism

Pressing ahead: The new titles that launched in 2021

A look back at the industry’s launches and closures over the past year

Fond farewells: Remembering the journalists we lost in 2021

A selection of the obituaries carried by HTFP over the past 12 months

Political journalist reveals Tory staffer ‘grabbed jaw’ in anti-Semitic assault

Daily’s Westminster correspondent opens up on anti-Semitism

Reporter wins 10-month fight to name paedophile after debunking police claim

Officer claimed child abuser was at risk of attack

Football writer steps up to become city news website’s editor

Sports journalist scores promotion at title

Tributes paid after death of ‘unconventional reporter’

Former journalist’s columns revived by newspaper

More than 14,000 needy kids to get Christmas presents thanks to daily

Editor hails readers’ “amazing” generosity

Editor says front page Christmas ‘thank you’ after seeing health staff abuse

News chief witnessed worker “in tears” while queueing for jab

Journalist reveals wife died on night of Johnson’s cheese and wine ‘meeting’

Mother had separate “goodbye visits” from young children in hospice

Weeklies’ websites absorbed by sister title online

Move does not affect print editions

Readers want regional daily to be ‘less tabloid’, says ex-deputy editor

Research urges newspaper to be “more thoughtful” in tone

Ex-daily journalist reveals how guide dog has ‘changed’ his life

Deputy features editor was registered blind after retiring

Reporter ‘fails miserably’ in bid to live on Universal Credit budget

Journalist says challenge was “harder than I’d imagined”

French journalist faces second Christmas stuck in UK due to coronavirus

Publisher’s race reporter opens up on “feeling of loneliness”

Pressure to build ‘personal brands’ may fuel abuse of journalists, report warns

Researchers call for more action to help trainees

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.