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August 2023 News

ABCs: Daily records table-topping double – but all circulations down

Figures published for 53 daily titles

Regional daily poaches football reporter from rival title

Journalist to cover same club in new role

Top-performing regional news sites see year-on-year drop in audience

Fresh Ipsos figures released

Editor who ran ‘Scoop Inns’ pub business dies aged 74

News chief had two spells in charge of weekly

‘Knife Angel’ to come to daily’s patch after anti-blade campaign

Drive was sparked by fatal stabbing of teen

Retired journalist’s book looks back on 42 years in industry

Reporter recalls early career in 1960s

Tories say sorry to publisher over fake local papers’ trademark breach

MD says party “seeking to disguise its identity”

Publisher to launch two new print titles following commuter demand

Independent group to set up in new areas

Fake local papers ‘a positive thing’, says former minister

Tory MP defends practice to regional daily

Journalist returns to regional title after launching American news site

Reporter’s six-month secondment ends

Daily reporter overturns council’s ‘heartless’ fining of sick girl’s dad

Authority relents after newspaper raises issue

Journalists to be offered training and advice on stalking

Publisher’s safety editor to host session

Weekly reveals plan to expand beyond traditional patch

Bid to help people “interested in our part of the world”

Daily editor bounces back from publisher’s cuts with top national role

News chief was among raft of senior departures

Regional journalist known for walking columns dies aged 89

Reporter also covered courts and farming

Dorries quits after fresh ‘missing persons’ ad appears on weekly’s front page

Pressure group took out front page wraparound

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.