NATIONAL QUALIFICATION IN JOURNALISM
Examiners’ Report
March 2015
NATIONAL QUALIFICATION IN JOURNALISM
March 2015
In March, a total of 90 candidates sat the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) across nine centres. The NQJ was awarded to 65 candidates – a pass rate of 72 per cent.
AWARD WINNERS
TED BOTTOMLEY AWARD (MEDIA LAW AND PRACTICE – £250) Sponsored by Midland News Association
Katie Dickinson The Westmorland Gazette
This was an outstanding paper. It included a near-perfect answer for question 2, plus excellent ones for questions 1 and 3.
Katie not only showed good knowledge of law and ethics, but she also expressed it with clarity. She picked up on the problems and explained logically how best to deal with them. To drop only nine marks is exceptional. Well done.
ESSO AWARD (NEWS REPORT – £250)
Edmund Crosthwaite East Anglian Daily Times
Edmund produced a story containing all the key content, written in a logical and very readable fashion, underpinned by some excellent ideas in part B. Overall, he demonstrated a high level of news sense. Congratulations.
SOCIETY OF EDITORS’ AWARD (NEWS INTERVIEW – £250)
Charlotte Austen-Hardy Chelmsford Weekly News
Charlotte is a worthy winner. Her interview copy told the story in a straightforward, easy-to-follow manner with good chronology. She captured the drama very well. Her use of quotes was excellent.
NEWSQUEST AWARD (LOGBOOK – £250)
Jonathan Robinson North West Evening Mail
This was an excellent logbook and a great example of the standards we expect to see from candidates. The most pleasing aspect of Jonathan’s submission is that he delivered some of the basic key tasks very well. Tasks such as family events, writing to pictures and numeracy were delivered in a strikingly clear but engaging way and we have no hesitation in naming this entry as our award winner
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The following candidates, listed in alphabetical order by surname, have now gained the National Qualification in Journalism.
Forename Surname Company
Tom Ambrose Richmond & Twickenham Times
Rhodri Andrews Bracknell News
Megan Jane Archer Wiltshire & Gloucester Standard
Sophie Arnold Leigh Journal
Charlotte Austen-Hardy Chelmsford Weekly News
Christopher Baynes Croydon Guardian
Henry Bodkin Aldershot News & Mail
Peter Michael Brown North Devon Journal
Sophie Brownson South Wales Argus
Hannah Bryan Gazette & Herald
Tara May Cox Dorset Echo
Edmund Crosthwaite East Anglian Daily Times
Jeremy Culley The Bolton News
Cara Cunningham Knutsford Guardian
Katie Dickinson The Westmorland Gazette
Sean-Paul Doran Sevenoaks Chronicle
Charlotte Duncker Congleton Chronicle
Christopher Dyer Essex Chronicle
Lucy Elder Maidenhead Advertiser
Jonathan Evely Rutland and Stamford Mercury
Ben Fishwick The News, Portsmouth
Dominic Gilbert Swindon Advertiser
Faye Greenwell North Devon Journal
Richard Guttridge Express & Star
Jenny Hanson The Western Telegraph
Michael Havis Hertfordshire Mercury
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Neil Hawkins Evening Echo Newspapers, Basildon
Lauren Howard Hampshire Chronicle
Charlotte Ikonen Watford Observer
Lee Irving Dorset Echo
Benjamin Joel Jackson North West Evening Mail
Andrew Jameson Croydon Advertiser
Rebecca Jones South Wales Evening Post
Joseph Kasper Dover Express
Dean Kilpatrick Folkstone Herald
Luke Matthews Maidenhead Advertiser
Kathleen Moore Hexham Courant
Danielle Anne Morris Somerset County Gazette
Lauren Nash Hunts Post
Grace Newton The Retford Times
Chad Nugent Harwich & Manningtree Standard
Becky Parker Weston Worle & Somerset Mercury
Katie Pavid Bristol Evening Post
Rebecca Pearson Southern Daily Echo
Elisha Pilmoor The News, Portsmouth
Oliver Porritt Sevenoaks Chronicle
Jamie Presland Henley Standard
Katie Richardson The Northern Echo
Joe Riddle Salisbury Journal
Jonathan Robinson North West Evening Mail
Natalie Robinson Cambridge News
Thomas Scargill Halifax Evening Courier
Vickie Scullard The Bolton News
Fuchsia Singleton-Hoare Mid Somerset Newspapers
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Alexander Smith The Sentinel
Emily Stott East Kent Mercury
Matthew Strudwick Surrey Advertiser
Stephen Sumner Sidmouth Herald
Laura Neve Tacey Halifax Evening Courier
Anna Verdon Courier Media Group
Nadejda Vidinova Evening Telegraph, Dundee
Peter Walker Essex Chronicle
Christopher Lawrence Warne Freelance
Caroline Wilson Lincolnshire Echo
Beth Wyatt Romford Recorder
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CHIEF EXAMINER’S SUMMARY
A record-equalling 72 per cent of candidates in the March sitting of the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ) exams were successful.
It was the highest pass rate since the previous best-ever figure achieved in July last year. Of the 90 trainee journalists who sat the exams in centres across the UK, 65 were successful in achieving senior status.
Chief examiner Steve Nelson said: “I am absolutely delighted for these candidates. In offering my congratulations, I think it is worth reminding ourselves of just how tough these exams continue to be. Candidates face three exams – Media Law & Practice, News Report and News Interview – over the course of a day, on top of having to produce a logbook of material generated over at least an 18-month period.
“They are now invariably multi-skilled working across different platforms and are facing perhaps more pressure and requirements than ever before to be competent in dealing with legal and ethical issues.
“These requirements and abilities are all tested in the exams, which represent the gold standard in journalism.”
Special mention must be made of record-breaker Katie Dickinson, of The Westmorland Gazette, who achieved the highest-ever mark of 91 per cent in the Media Law & Practice exam. Her paper was described as outstanding and exceptional by the examiner and was selected as the award winner in this category.
Congratulations also go to the other three award winners: Edmund Crosthwaite (East Anglian Daily Times) for News Report; Charlotte Austen-Hardy (Chelmsford Weekly News) for News Interview; and Jonathan Robinson (North West Evening Mail) for logbook. The award-winners each receive a £250 prize.
MEDIA LAW AND PRACTICE – 81 candidates; 67 passed – 83 per cent
This was a gratifying set of results, with the majority of candidates passing. There were some excellent answers that showed depth of knowledge of law and ethics and how these apply to working journalists.
The main thrust of the law side of the paper required candidates to show how qualified privilege and the Contempt of Court Act 1981 works, plus where and when you can take photographs. With all reporters now taking photographs to accompany their reports, it is important for them to know the law, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ guidelines and ethics involved.
In question 1 c) a number of candidates mistakenly thought the councillor’s name and address should have been banned under Section 46 under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 instead of Section 11 under the Contempt of Court Act. The clue was in the wording “publicity would have a negative effect on his chances” and when in proceedings the request had been made.
To reflect the increased focus on ethics, both questions 1 and 2 had sections on the Editors’ Code of Practice to go alongside the pure ethics in question 3. By and large these were tackled well but candidates would increase their chances of getting higher marks if they not only correctly identified the relevant clauses, but also discussed when they came into play and how journalists/newspapers should behave to avoid censure by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. 6
A number of candidates made reference to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), which was good to see. Some included a case study from one of its adjudications, which showed up-to-date knowledge.
Once again it was evident that a number of candidates did not give themselves enough time in which to tackle question 3. This resulted in rushed and superficial answers in which candidates identified the clauses of the Editors’ Code of Practice that came into play but did not apply them to the scenario. This question needs time in order to be able to give a rounded answer.
As in previous exams, candidates with a good writing style and a logical approach tended to do better. A bullet-point approach when answering these questions is recommended but candidates will not be penalised if they do not adopt this technique.
Examiners recommend that future candidates return to the latest edition of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists to brush up on defamation, contempt dangers and defences and court reporting restrictions. Regular visits to IPSO rulings and PCC adjudications and the Editors’ Code Book, along with the Judicial Studies Board’s Reporting Restrictions in the Criminal Courts, would also be helpful.
Despite candidates being able to take McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists into the exam, it is only useful if they know what to look for. It appeared that some candidates did not know which sections to read to help them phrase their answers.
IPSO has begun making its rulings, so markers will expect to see these reflected in future answers. However, candidates will still need to make references to Press Complaints Commission adjudications on breaches of the Editors’ Code of Practice that are still relevant to how the press behaves, such as Kirkland v Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and McCartney v Hello!.
For those of you who passed, congratulations, and for those who did not, plenty of revision and good luck with your next attempt.
NEWS REPORT – 88 candidates; 66 passed – 75 per cent
The March news report featured a garage owner who was so impressed by the ambulance community first responder who saved his wife’s life when she had a heart attack that he decided to fund a CFR team in the remote area where he lived.
In part A candidates were asked to write a 350-word story using content from both the exam brief and a five-minute speech.
Many candidates tackled this paper well which was pleasing to see and this is reflected in the 75 per cent pass rate for the section.
However, examiners were disappointed to see some of the errors which appeared in stories. A number of candidates credited the CFR response figures for the previous six months to the entire ambulance service. Several stated garage owner Douglas Morrison’s £16,000 donation as either £1,600 or in one case £160,000 and there were numerous errors about the vehicle he was donating. Some candidates also had a tendency to make incorrect assumptions.
Accuracy is the hallmark of a good reporter and errors like these, particularly more serious factual errors, result in corrections needing to be published.
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Quotes were a problem for many, indicating that shorthand may not be up to the required standard. Too many candidates were blending extracts and presenting them as direct verbatim quotes which is not acceptable.
Part B was a mixed bag of both excellent and impractical ideas. When answering sections 1 (illustrative ideas for immediate publication) and 3 (additional comment in 15 minutes) candidates must produce suggestions which are capable of being completed within the timeframe given. In this case, it was essential to talk to the Morrisons to get their personal story and to arrange a picture of them.
Congratulations to those who were successful. Advice for future candidates taking the News Report exam is to work on shorthand, avoid making assumptions and ensure you note the facts down correctly.
NEWS INTERVIEW – 78 candidates; 63 passed – 81 per cent
This was a straightforward story about a family pet dog attacking a three-year-old and leaving him in a critical condition with a fractured skull and other serious injuries. The child’s mother, who had been having a shower when she heard barking and screaming, tried to rescue him from the clutches of the dog’s teeth and suffered 40 stitches to her wounds.
She managed to flee to the safety of another room in the house, barricade herself and the child in the room before smashing a window and screaming for help.
A neighbour came to her aide and locked the dog out of the house seconds before it launched itself at the door.
Overall, there were some good exam scripts submitted which is reflected in the percentage pass rate for this section. There was a lot of drama and good quotes to be had, yet many candidates got lost in the story, had poor chronology and some clumsy writing which lost them marks.
The broken window caused confusion as some candidates had the neighbour climbing through it without explaining how it came to be smashed.
Several candidates went overboard on “comment” – this story did not need it, there was enough going on to carry it on its own merit.
Some candidates did not ask the interviewee how to spell names, thereby losing marks and some did not include ages.
Most got the mother’s and the neighbour’s quotes which was pleasing, but many did not manage to portray the drama.
Other candidates had that the neighbour Mr Kenny “rescued” the mother and child. He shut the dog outside and then stayed with the pair until help arrived. But he did not rescue them in the sense of getting them out of the house.
Well done to all those who passed this time.
LOGBOOK – 65 candidates; 65 passed – 100 per cent
We are pleased to report a high quality of logbook submissions and, two years since its inception, the e-logbook format has proved intuitive and easy for candidates to use.
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There have been no major issues with any of our key tasks as those making entries have fulfilled all criteria well.
However, candidates are reminded that where they are asked to include additional documentation via PDF or other format, or when they are asked to upload either a cutting or original copy, then they must double-check to make sure that this has been added.
Candidates must also make sure that everything in their logbook is complete and the right documents for each key task have been uploaded correctly before submitting.
Those undertaking the logbook who are unsure of anything should, in the first instance, seek help from their editor or trainer, or contact the NCTJ and we will be happy to give advice.
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National Qualification in Journalism Comparative figures (Pre March 2013 figures are for the National Certificate Examination) JUL NOV MAR JUL NOV MAR JUL NOV MAR 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2015 TOTAL ENTRY NCE NCE NQJ NQJ NQJ NQJ NQJ NQJ NQJ No of candidates 100 106 110 102 88 90 69 71 90 No of passes 43 56 59 50 54 60 50 48 65 No of failures 57 50 51 52 34 30 19 23 25 % passed 43 53 54 49 62 67 72 68 72
FIRST-TIMERS No of candidates 53 54 66 51 49 55 48 52 65 No of passes 20 28 33 32 32 38 35 33 49 No of failures 33 26 33 19 17 17 13 19 16 % passed 38 52 50 63 65 69 73 64 75
RE-SITS No of candidates 47 52 44 51 39 35 21 19 25 No of passes 23 28 26 18 22 22 15 15 16 No of failures 24 24 18 33 17 13 6 4 9 % passed 49 54 59 35 56 63 71 79 64
National Qualification in Journalism Analysis of figures for each exam section (first-timers and re-sits) (Pre March 2013 figures are for the old style National Certificate Examination) JUL NOV MAR JUL NOV MAR JUL NOV MAR 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2015 NEWS INTERVIEW No of candidates 92 89 99 89 71 75 61 65 78 No of passes 57 52 53 58 54 57 49 53 63 No of failures 35 37 46 31 17 18 12 12 15 % passed 62 58 54 65 76 76 80 82 81
NEWS REPORT No of candidates 87 98 103 96 79 83 67 69 88 No of passes 40 55 49 57 52 57 50 47 66 No of failures 47 43 54 39 27 26 17 22 22 % passed 46 56 48 59 66 69 75 68 75
MEDIA LAW & PRACTICE No of candidates 89 91 97 86 86 83 54 61 81 No of passes 48 55 55 37 59 71 42 47 67 No of failures 41 36 42 49 27 12 12 14 14 % passed 54 60 57 43 69 86 78 77 83
LOGBOOK No of candidates 54 56 66 51 51 55 48 54 65 No of passes 52 56 65 49 51 54 46 54 65 No of failures 2 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 0 % passed 96 100 98 96 100 98 96 100 100 © NCTJ 2015 10