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May 2024 News

Tories and Lib Dems in ‘laughable’ row over whose fake newspaper is less fake

Society of Editors hits out at candidates

Daily journalist threatened with arrest while covering protest

Content editor was confronted by officer

Investigative reporter hired to probe freeport to leave regional daily

Editor had hired journalist after spat with Tories

Former editor pens book about Ali fights he covered

Journalist followed boxing legend around world

Two thirds reach gold standard in journalism diploma as award winners named

Prizes totalling £3,000 handed out

Legendary former regional daily golf writer dies aged 86

Journalist covered his first Open Championship in 1973

Bench unveiled in memory of much-loved newspaper entrepreneur

Newspaper boss frequently visited spot with his wife

Journalist writes notes for his own obituary from deathbed

Tributes to regional daily writer who has died aged 60

Former Reach chief joins hyperlocal trade body

Co-editor shares desire for independents to “flourish”

Regional daily produces multimedia series on local craftspeople

Short films will be accompanied by magazine profiles

Investigative reporters to team-up with Sunday title

Collaboration will ‘do justice to fantastic journalism’

Video of convict sprinting away from court goes viral with 7m viewers

Property developer made £320,00 from cannabis operation

Regional journalist who launched news programme dies aged 89

Tributes to “lifelong newsman”

Publishers call for review of BBC plans for podcast advertising

Impact of move would be disastrous, culture secretary told

Muslim regional journalists honoured as ‘trailblazers in media’

Win was ‘a real surprise’ says editor

Police monitored phone data of ‘troublemaker’ journalists, tribunal hears

‘Journalism is not a crime’ says weekly editor

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.