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August 2022 News

Press agency bosses boycott Reach in solidarity with striking staffers

“Existential crisis” warning issued over freelance rates

Strike begins as 1,150 Reach journalists walk out over pay

Picket lines set up across country

Watchdog raps news site after fraudster’s court coverage complaint

Sentence was reported incorrectly

Editors warn police guidance risks linking journalists with corruption

Journalism bodies call for review over issue

Weekly repeats demand for MP to quit after coronavirus conviction

Ex-editor says patch “deserves better”

Publisher of three weeklies ceases trading with loss of 21 jobs

Titles close after 28 years in business

Daily editor slams police after newspapers fail to arrive on patch

Delivery drivers blocked from leaving print plant

Journalist locked up for seven hours after wrongful arrest on job

Reporter handcuffed while covering protest

Deputy editor who was ‘massive force for good’ dies aged 64

Journalist also worked as royal reporter during career

Ministers U-turn on asylum seeker hotel after weekly’s exclusive

Plan had gone “under the radar”

Four days of strike action to go ahead at Reach after weekend talks fail

Union rejects amended offer by publisher

Former car mechanic praises Facebook scheme after joining weekly

New journalist hails importance of regional press

Editorial chief leaves regional publisher to join national daily

Digital boss says farewell to “dream job”

Jobs at risk as news title prepares to shut after 18 months

Move comes after print edition ceased publication

Daily rapped over failure to verify ‘spokesperson’ claim

Man was not speaking on group’s behalf

Famous faces back daily’s bid to end city’s criminal code of silence

Newspaper steps up justice fight for girl shot dead

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.