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January 2023 News

Journalists to vote on industrial action over BBC local news cuts

Move comes after members reject compromise

Editor who ran weekly for 10 years dies aged 92

News chief had started career in Australia

Regional press owner reveals deal to buy magazine publisher

Business has 19-strong portfolio of print titles

Reporter entitled to photograph defendant from bus stop, IPSO rules

Watchdog sides with newspaper after incident

Daily offers unique subscription deal to mark 240th anniversary

Offer open to first 240 readers to take advantage

Precious jewellery returned to owner thanks to weekly

Newspaper plays vital role in reunion

Rival titles to merge as publisher buys independent weekly

Newspapers will have single editorial structure

News website rapped over user-generated comment on court report

Convict complained to press watchdog over assault case

Former editor shares memories of regional daily’s ‘palace’

Newsman laments ‘sad day’ as title moves across town

Long-serving sports editor who was also keen cyclist dies aged 92

Journalist penned his own obituary

Top regional journalist to join conference panel

Political reporter will take part in discussion on holding power to account

Crime reporting experience helps journalist pens fourth novel

Book focuses on city’s drug trade

Editor quits title where he started career for government PR role

Journalist first joined weekly as a cub reporter

Children debunk story about dead former journalist ‘spotted in curry house’

Reporter who covered Bloody Sunday died in 2014

Former supermarket delivery driver shortlisted for two journalism awards

Community news project enabled ‘university drop-out’ to get into industry

Weekly newspaper celebrates 160 years in print

Title looks back at key moments as it reaches milestone

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.