This week we reflect on how our approach to journalism training has changed over the years, and with it the advice we give out. FFJ co-founder Lily Canter explains why she has changed her mind on the staunch views she once held.
We often get told that we must do this, and we must do that, in order to get ahead in our careers. For journalists it can be ‘you must do an NCTJ course’ and for freelancers it might be ‘you have to cut your teeth as a staffer first’. But in reality there are no musts, just recommendations that may or may not work for you. It is also important to remember that people can change their minds, and with it their advice, and that’s OK too.
Journalism, particularly freelancing, is all the more diverse because we no longer stick to this list of ‘musts’ and people without formal training, a ‘proper’ broadcast voice or 100 words per minute shorthand are being welcomed into the traditionally elite industry.
I was once one of these naysayers having followed a fairly traditional route into journalism and eaten up the doctrine of ‘how things are done’. I did an NCTJ Masters, got my 100wpm shorthand and joined a local newspaper as a trainee. I talked about how ‘real reporters’ had to have their NCTJ and you couldn’t call yourself a journalist until you had qualified by passing all the NCTJ exams.
I used to get cross when students called themselves journalists and when I began lecturing I would insist that they referred to themselves as student journalists instead. I strongly believed that opinion writers were not journalists and neither were citizen journalists or bloggers. I was also a firm defender of shorthand and thought any news reporter worth their salt should have 100wpm.
But two things dramatically changed my perspective. The first was studying for my PhD in Journalism Studies. When I started my doctorate I was fresh out of the newsroom and strongly believed that journalism was a profession because in order to qualify you had to pass the NCTJ. I had many lively arguments with my PhD supervisor about it but as I read more widely I started to understand that it was not a profession after all. There were no entry requirements. Yes, some jobs did, and still do, ask for NCTJ qualifications but it is not a legal requirement to have them unlike the professions of medicine or law.
Journalism is many things. It is a skill, a craft, a trade and many view it as a profession. It is listed as a profession alongside teachers and doctors on passport verification forms (and so is lecturer which also has no qualification entry requirement to do the job). My point is that I was wrong to believe that journalism was one thing and the only way to do it was by passing a set of exams. That is not to belittle the NCTJ qualifications which taught me a huge amount and were invaluable in me securing my first job, but it is just to acknowledge that they are not the only way into journalism - staff or freelance.
This was brought home to me even more so when I conducted academic research on the value of journalism accreditation whilst I was a principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. By talking to employers I found that they were more interested in digital skills, a strong portfolio and an understanding of media law, than an actual exam certificate or even a journalism degree/training.
The second thing that dramatically changed my view on routes into journalism was going freelance. I stepped down from my role at university to re-enter journalism -something many people told me I couldn’t do. Once you leave the profession and become an academic you won’t be seen as a journalist anymore, I was told. This turned out to be rubbish too. I quickly learnt that by presenting myself as a journalist, I was a journalist, re-iterating the fact that anyone can be a journalist.
I still lecture part-time and these days I tell my students to start thinking and acting like journalists whilst they are studying. When sending pitches I encourage them to give themselves the title freelance journalist, rather than student journalist. And I tell them that journalism is not a profession, it is a mindset. I’ve even started to accept that some bloggers are actually pretty good journalists. And when it comes to shorthand I still think it is a fantastic skill to have but I’m open to other alternatives (as we discussed on the podcast last week).
Journalism is many things and I no longer believe it is just reporting NCTJ-style. But I do believe that when we call ourselves journalists we have a moral responsibility to uphold standards of ethics, verification and accuracy and we should be capable of reporting a story in a clear, accessible manner.
I also believe that changing your mind on something, is a good thing. It is not being fickle or giving into an argument, it is the complete opposite. It shows an ability to respond to change and be open to alternative views. And isn’t this exactly what we need journalists to do?
We’d love to hear your opinion on anything raised in this newsletter. Perhaps you have a counter-argument you’d like to share? Reply to this newsletter or email freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Talking side hustles
This week’s podcast episode is all about side hustles. Should you have one and how do you explore your interests alongside your freelance journalism work? We speak to Dean Sterling Jones, a chef from Northern Ireland, who works as a freelance journalist when he’s not cooking, and Waseem Mirza, a sci-tech journalist and presenter who is also a screen actor and voice artist. Find Freelancing for Journalists in all the usual places or click the button below to listen.
Triumph of the week
Getting started on an investigation you can really get your teeth into.
That feeling when
Another bank holiday derails your week - not really the same for self-employed folk.
We love to hear your feedback on everything we do, so feel free to drop us an email anytime at freelancingforjournalists@gmail.com
Bye for now!