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June 2022 News

Former crime reporter dies aged 66 after suffering fatal fall

Tributes paid to “talented wordsmith”

Mirror journalists take pay offer as regional colleagues plan possible strike

Different unions negotiate across group

Daily highlights claim that hitman shot Jill Dando dead by mistake

Fresh twist in 23-year-old murder mystery

Weekly journalists past and present to reminisce at reunion

Last-minute appeal for ex-staff to come along

Google expands scheme to help publishers make local news pay online

Service used by several local titles

Publisher targets city battlegrounds in restructure affecting dozens of journalists

Redundancies confirmed ahead of fresh move on to rival territories

City to get third news title with print launch mooted for 2024

Second independent enters market served by historic paper

BBC boss rules out local democracy reporters moving into courts

But director backs continuation of scheme

Regional daily’s Westminster reporter moves on after 12 months

Correspondent to take up new national role

New guidance launched to aid reporting on transgender defendants

Guidelines produced after research into cases

Referendum bid sparks daily to issue ‘save the date’ plea to readers

Plea to subscribe after poll plan revealed

Reach journalists to vote on possible strike over pay

Action taken after union rejects offer

Publisher vows to keep title going despite editor’s departure

No stories published on website for two weeks

Reporter ban sparks demand for probe into council press office

Councillors slam “disgraceful action”

Daily’s chairman and former managing editor dies aged 92

Tributes paid to “transformative figure” in industry

Readers urged to back high streets in sister titles’ campaign

Journalists highlight lack of footfall

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.