AddThis SmartLayers

January 2022 News

News site marks fifth anniversary with plea for financial backing

Readers urged to offer their support to independent title

Anglers compete for tankard in daily correspondent’s memory

Columnist died last year aged 69

Daily renews fight for new law to help bereaved families at inquests

Fresh call comes after airing of TV drama

Data chief rejoins publisher in newly-created role for editors’ project

News chiefs join forces to launch investigations unit

Editor retires after more than a quarter of a century running local papers

News chief has held “every role there is in editorial”

News editor who interviewed John and Yoko in bed dies aged 81

Journalist served regional dailies and worked on nationals

Ex-editor of three dailies announces “official retirement”

Former colleagues pay tribute to news chief who helped shape careers

Dad marks 29th birthday of journalism graduate who died with charity walk

£22,000 raised in son’s memory so far

Weekly’s editor honoured for serving patch during pandemic

News chief awarded British Empire Medal

Editor reveals ‘ambitious plans’ to invest in journalism after readership fillip

Title hits online target two months ahead of schedule

Editor reveals print expansion plans as new office opens

Title to launch public-facing newsroom

‘Talented and tenacious’ ex-editor dies after suspected Covid infection

Journalists “in shock” at news chief’s death

New Commissioner praises ‘crucial’ Freedom of Information Act

New Zealander begins five-year term

Ex-Church PR boss urges young churchgoers to consider journalism career

Call for more Christians in media

Daily reveals fresh plans for coronavirus memorial

Newspaper has campaigned for monument

Ex-sports editor returns to football refereeing role after two heart attacks

Former journalist back in action after “near-fatal” health scare

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.