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May 2023 News

Daily beats international competition to claim global journalism prize

Award given for campaign on housing law

Editor hit with sexist abuse for covering rape and domestic violence

News chief also opens up on classism she has faced

Watchdog throws out death risk claim about daily’s advertorial

Reader accused paper of profiting from item that could kill

Editorial team’s expansion sparks weekly’s move to new office

Newspaper regains own dedicated workspace

Football reporter quits role to spend weekends with daughter

Journalist moves back to news reporting

Journalist hails ’emotional, powerful experience’ after marathon run

Writer raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease appeal

Regional journalists urged to help improve government transparency

Ideas welcomed for national action plan

Columnist speaks out after regional daily pulls racism piece

Newspaper rejected column on actress’s Coronation comments

Editor calls for regional daily’s archive to go back online

News chief “pushing for” revival of project

Newsrooms threaten to boycott Tory Conference over fees

Regional political journalists affected by row

Weekly’s wrap marks silverware success for patch football team

Trophy triumph prompts special edition

Journalist’s ‘cursed’ old car involved in Downing Street crash

Sportsdesk chief says vehicle “an absolute lemon”

Law Column: Final ruling in Banks v. Cadwalladr a ‘dark day for press freedom’

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing journalists

Reach dominating regional press battle for readers online, figures show

But retention statistics tell different story

Football reporter quits newspaper to join club he covers

Move comes after team’s promotion

Newspaper archive featuring almost 1,000 titles saved after fundraising success

Library raises six-figure sum after appeal

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.