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May 2024 News

Judges overturn law giving anonymity to sex offence suspects

Editors hail ‘huge victory’ for press freedom

Reporter who compared himself to Lineker has unfair dismissal claim rejected

Tribunal heard he promoted commercial companies on social media

Sister dailies’ former city centre home faces demolition

Student flat plan unveiled

Editor who was ‘great columnist and journalist’ dies aged 56

Tributes paid to writer who had patch’s “best interests” at heart

Praise for ‘ambitious local newsbrand’ as awards announced

All the winners from Scotland’s biggest media event

Teenage murderer named after city news title’s legal challenge

Judge rules in favour of public interest

Weekly reporter hails ‘quality’ regional press after BBC move

Journalist takes up new role

Tough times for independent publishers as revenues fall 30pc

Average newsroom has one fewer person than last year

Publishers set out ‘manifesto’ for next government

Trade body highlights key policy areas

Regional daily marks club’s return to elite

Wraparound and poster front celebrate team’s play-off victory

Law Column: General Elections – don’t you just love ’em?

Our fortnightly look at legal issues facing journalists

Former weekly journalist given stalking prevention order

Ex-newsman ‘sent unwanted letters and Christmas gifts’ to victims

‘Like a clown in a minefield': Reporter slams Sunak’s treatment of regional press

Journalist compares PM to Titanic captain

Political editor shortlisted for national prize for homelessness writing

Regional journalists to compete against national opposition

NQJ exams rescheduled to avoid election date clash

Papers had been due to be sat in week of polling day

Independent publishers team up to organise election hustings

Island constituency has been split into two seats

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.