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November 2023 News

Former editor bids to show journalists there is ‘life after Reach’

News chief quit publisher in 2018 to move into PR

Disadvantaged teens get journalism experience as outreach scheme expands

NCTJ programme moves to two new areas

Peer highlights threat to local press in King’s Speech debate

BBC expansion ‘will eradicate plurality in local news’

Daily bids final fond farewell to football legend Sir Bobby

Emotive front pages and series of online content marks hero’s death.

Football reporter thanks fans as job is axed in cuts

Championship side set to lose dedicated coverage

Former community reporter joins national news site

National title takes on former Meta-funded reporter.

City daily lands exclusive on Sunak’s Diwali celebrations

Reporter found out about PM’s visit the day before

Law Column: Has the ‘Right to be Forgotten’ itself been forgotten?

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing journalists

Union calls on shareholders and non-execs to act over Reach job cuts

Group chapel issues strongly-worded statement

Company MD made redundant following sale to regional press giant

Family-owned publisher sold in £11m deal in September

Model turned local newspaper reporter dies aged 73

‘Strong and independent’ journalist dies at home in Spain.

Former sports reporter launches PR agency for fast-growing sport

Ex-journalist aims to promote game to wider audience

Daily newspaper launches ‘books for Christmas’ appeal

Editor asks readers to donate

Trophy hunter’s claim he was ‘doxed’ by regional publisher rejected

Publicly available information featured in coverage

City daily apologises over use of 10-year-old pic to illustrate riot

Picture was taken in Kyiv a decade ago

Former weekly reporter calls out body shaming trolls on social media

The ITV newsreader received vile messages on ‘X’.

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.