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March 2024 News

Website’s acting editor to take on role on permanent basis

Predecessor was seconded to run US project

Reach to create group-wide content hub with 300 editorial staff

Move will aim to reduce duplication by journalists

Paedophile ex-soldier spared jail over threat to reporter

Message was “unsettling and menacing in nature”

City news network reaches six-figure reader milestone

Four subscription-based platforms now have 100,000 readers between them.

Why city’s journalists were unable to cover pub bombings

Atrocity coincided with strike action at regional daily

Regional daily journalist named top sports reporter for ninth time

Judges praise writer’s ‘first class journalism’

Great night for the Irish at 2024 Newspaper Awards

All the winners from annual print production awards

Daily newspaper re-examines impact of fires ten years on

Building was largely destroyed by second blaze

BBC boss reveals plans to launch ‘long read’ and investigative platforms

Proposal sparks fresh outrage from commercial publishers

Email newsletter launched in January publishes first print edition

First edition goes through 10,000 letterboxes

Journalists welcome force’s new policy on police mugshots

Force will now release custody photos for all offences that warrant jail term

Regional publisher launches campaign to champion ‘lost generation’

City news titles combine in joint pre-election initiative

News agency appoints first female chief executive in 155 years

Journalist moved into commercial roles

Journalists and trainers honoured at annual NCTJ awards

All the winners from the year’s biggest journalism training gathering

“Eminent” regional political journalist dies aged 76

Reporter served region for almost three decades

Trainer who fights for journalism students’ rights wins NCTJ award

Lecturer has spoken out on trainee pay and work experience

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.