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March 2023 News

Training chief takes acting charge of daily in return to frontline editing

Sister titles without permanent editor since last year

Daily’s long-serving former health correspondent dies aged 72

Tributes to journalist known as ‘The Major’

Eight local journalists win national award for Truss ‘car crash’ interviews

BBC interviews were “game-changing for doomed government”

Journalists to vote on possible strike over Reach cutbacks

Union steps up action after no confidence vote

Weekly ceases Ofsted inspections coverage after headteacher’s death

Editor backs family’s call for “essential” change

Daily editor warns readers will ‘suffer’ over police suspect naming plan

News chief criticises proposals

News websites to be staffed by one reporter each in cuts plan

Publisher’s video chief for region also reveals departure

Regional daily’s editor promoted as award-winner steps aside

Publisher reveals restructure amid cuts to journalism

Editor urges council to regain reputation for transparency after ICO sanction

Authority vows to improve after FoI findings

Former democracy reporter teams up with old editor at PR firm

Company takees on first full-time recruit

Daily celebrates after successful campaign to bring rail HQ to patch

Newspaper had backed winning bid

Regional journalists taken to ‘bootcamp’ as part of training

College organises first face-to-face meeting

Chief reporter dies just weeks after terminal cancer diagnosis

Colleagues pay tribute to “phenomenal journalist”

City news site’s editor to leave for new role after five years

Publisher currently seeking replacement

Council writes off more than £64,000 owed by regional publisher

Authority legally bound to cancel debt

New police guidance would making naming of suspects optional

Editors fear that names could be withheld for many crimes

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.