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March 2022 News

Websites share £800,000 grant funding for new Welsh language news service

Publisher recruited two journalists for new initiative

Local title achieves six-figure readership milestone while shunning ‘clickbait’

New site celebrates a year in business

‘Giant of rugby league journalism’ dies aged 70

Tributes to former regional press writer who went on to nationals

Newsquest to donate 5p from every paper sold today to Ukraine

Money will go to Red Cross fund to support victims

Daily refused access to Partygate’ emails because secrecy is ‘in public interest’

Access to Cabinet Office documents denied

Investigative reporter leaves regional daily for national role

Departing journalist hails colleagues’ “quality journalism”

Award-winning former daily photographer dies aged 51

Tributes paid to “genuinely lovely fellow”

Union demands pay rise for journalists amid cost-of-living crisis

Increase would help editorial staff meet “enormous challenge”

Editors urge tech giants to give more backing to ‘tiny upstarts’

News chiefs hit out at “threat” to business

Daily wades into street controversy with online poll

Survey results published on front page

Page view targets scheme ‘causing stress in 80pc of journalists’ claims union

Call for “overhaul of editorial pay”

Fraudster used publisher’s name to swindle more than £13,000

Scammer set to be jailed for offence

Watchdog rules story syndication ‘not in its remit’ after complaint

Widow’s story appeared in multiple titles

Daily takes on Wordle with new app’s puzzle feature

Popular game urged to “move over” by newspapers

Former weekly journalists sought ahead of planned reunion

Event set to take place this summer

Society of Editors to hold first in-person conference in three years

Event will focus on the future of news

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.