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March 2022 News

Regional daily launches new digital-only sports title for paying subscribers

Job created as result of launch

Reporter sails to Holland and back for P&O sackings scandal probe

Journalist highlights working conditions aboard “prison ship”

Editorial boss who was still working until a few weeks ago dies aged 77

MBE holder also served NCTJ for five decades

Journalism training centre seals double award win for students’ performance

NCTJ names top performing centres

One of UK’s ‘longest running newspapers’ marks 250th anniversary

New book celebrates title’s history

Publishers and BBC demand Johnson does more to tackle tech giants

Joint plea for “healthy future for independent media”

Top weekly takes aim at bigger publishers in donation plea

Newspaper marks 40th anniversary with one-off appeal

Homeworking plan led to 80pc cut in office space at regional daily

Publisher repays six-figure sum due to move

Council denies ‘sinister motive’ after reporter barred from meeting

‘Admin error’ blamed for lack of explanation

Data journalists take a break from ‘grim’ Covid stats to investigate baby names

Unit undertakes comprehensive look at naming trends

Daily uses front page to issue women’s football rallying call

Splash part of drive to increase coverage

Editor drives across Europe in ‘mercy mission’ to help Ukrainian refugees

News chief files from Poland after 1,300-mile journey

Daily denied right to name killer over claim it could spark vigilante attacks

Police claim reprisals “more likely” if murderer identified

Watchdog finds against weekly despite giving copy approval to councillor

IPSO finds newspaper published unsubstantiated claims

Journalist bounces back from ‘death’s door’ to take new job with daily

Writer says working for newspaper on “bucket list”

Photographer who is ‘face’ of his newspaper retires after nearly four decades

Gardening career now in prospect

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.