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November 2023 News

Reach to ‘dismantle’ women’s football coverage, claims union

NUJ urges directors to reverse ‘dash to digital’ strategy

Regional daily signs up BBC presenter for weekly podcast

Former radio breakfast show host will interview key local personalities

Now it’s rugby league coverage under threat as reporters axed in cuts

Reporter reveals end of dedicated rugby league coverage.

Tower shines red and white to mark newspaper’s 150th birthday

Landmark lights up colours of regional daily’s masthead

NCTJ launches e-learning course designed to “demystify” AI

Skills academy aims to help journalists ‘increase AI literacy’

Weekly reveals blunders which led to historic landmark being ‘reduced to rubble’

Reporter highlights findings from council audit into bungle.

Axed football reporter to continue coverage of club via Substack

Journalist to offer podcast and written reports to paying subscribers

Newsdesk chief moves to BBC after seven years at home-town daily

Content editor praises ‘dedicated’ team ahead of move

Daily reveals how lonely 74-year-old became overnight Christmas sensation

Festive pub ad has been watched by thousands.

Editor launches campaign to support evacuated residents forced to pay rent

Daily title urges city council to re-think policy.

Former printworks to become entertainment venue

Five-year temporary planning permission granted for site

Local democracy coverage to continue despite website closures

Ten sites publish farewell message to readers

Publishing editor moves to housing association comms team

Editorial boss’s role covered North East and Scotland

Chief reporter speaks of community’s heartbreak after Snowdonia deaths

Front page reveals anguish of teenager deaths.

Prize doubles for Midlands students at annual awards

Honours handed out a former print factory

Reporter makes ‘cross-London’ switch to take up new LDR role

Prospect of taking on capital LDR role too good to turn down.

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.