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February 2023 News

Publisher’s broadcasting arm announces deal to buy radio company

Deal comes after DAB growth

Sister dailies to share editor as news chief departs in cuts

Publisher confirms management shake-up

Journalists to strike for 24 hours over BBC local news cuts

Overwhelming majority of union members in favour

ABCs: Council-run newsletters among top performers

Plus: Circulation figures for almost 400 non-daily titles

Father loses complaint over daily’s story about baby’s inquest

Man believed newspaper required his consent to publish

Business editor who chaired world’s oldest press club dies aged 84

Journalist was also key figure in industrial dispute

PR firm staffed by former journalists says UK has ‘shortage’ of press officers

Company celebrates 25 years in business

Weekly’s special marks international sporting triumph for patch

Newspaper hails rugby league side’s victory

Cuts-threatened daily tops print circulation league, ABC figures show

Across-the-board decline for all regional dailies

Publisher acts in bid to save six titles facing ‘real possibility’ of closure

Terms cut for newsagents as prices increase

Publisher promotes three journalists to senior editorial roles

Appointees to work across several titles

Daily reaffirms commitment to ‘heart’ of patch after office move

Newspaper retains town centre base

Bookshop manager goes to IPSO in row over Prince Harry story

Encounter with reporter led to dispute

Regional daily stalwart who was Thatcher’s press secretary dies aged 90

Tributes paid to “journalist to his bones”

UK regional press renews support for Ukraine a year after invasion

Daily runs a week of in-depth coverage to mark occasion

‘Neo-Nazi’ named after reporter wins first-ever court battle

Colleague and McNae’s praised for challenge success

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.