NCTJ diploma awards presented by BBC presenter Nick Owen at 2018 Student Council
Eleven students have been rewarded for their hard work in the Diploma in Journalism exams after being presented with awards at the annual NCTJ Student Council meeting, which was hosted by BBC Academy Birmingham on Friday, 2 February.
Eleven students have been rewarded for their hard work in the Diploma in Journalism exams after being presented with awards at the annual NCTJ Student Council meeting, which was hosted by BBC Academy Birmingham on Friday, 2 February.
The awards were presented to the top-performing students in the NCTJ diploma exams during the 2016-17 academic year at the ceremony, which was hosted by regional and national television journalist Nick Owen, currently presenter of BBC Midlands Today. Each winner received a certificate and a cheque for £250.
Addressing students, Nick said: “The NCTJ demands such a high standard from students and trainees because that’s what will be expected of you in this exciting and competitive industry”. He added: “Passing the diploma exams is a great achievement, but to get the highest marks in the UK is exceptional”.
The first award, sponsored by ITV news, was presented to Atif Rashid for top marks in the broadcast journalism assessments. Atif is in the final few months of his digital journalism apprenticeship with the BBC. Based in Berkshire, he has made viral videos, radio packages and reported at elections. Atif trained at City of Wolverhampton College in partnership with the BBC Academy. Catherine Houlihan, managing editor of ITV Border presented Atif with his award.
Atif said: “Without the support, training and help from BBC Academy and City of Wolverhampton College, I would never have achieved this. It just goes to show, you don’t know what you’re capable of until you try it and you’ll end up surprising yourself many times.”
Alex Miller won the Archant videojournalism award, which was presented by Laura Adams, editorial director of Archant London, Herts and Cambs. Alex achieved the best overall performance in the two video journalism assessments while studying towards a masters alongside the NCTJ diploma at Leeds Trinity University. He is now working as a trainee reporter with the Halifax Courier.
Alex said: “I was shocked but very proud to have won this year’s NCTJ award for videojournalism. Collecting the award was a special moment and I’d like to thank everyone at the Centre of Journalism at Leeds Trinity University for their guidance, especially Lindsay Eastwood, who was the leader of the module. This is as much her award as it is mine!”
Zosia Eyres picked up the production journalism award, which was presented by Abbie Scott, deputy managing editor, Financial Times on behalf of award sponsor Facebook. Zosia completed her NCTJ course at Press Association Training in London after graduating from Durham University. She has worked as a trainee reporter for the Surrey Advertiser and Get Surrey website for the last year and plans to sit her senior exams later this year.
Matthew Chandler, a second year journalism student at De Montfort University, received the Society of Editors shorthand award for his perfect transcription at 100 words per minute. Joanne Butcher, chief executive of the NCTJ, presented the award on behalf of the Society of Editors.
Matthew, who also achieved 120 wpm in his first year, presents a fortnightly student radio show and recently had a week’s work experience at the Warrington Guardian.
The Premier League sports journalism award was presented to Sean Walsh, a final-year journalism student at the University of Portsmouth. NCTJ principal examiner Amanda Ball presented the award on behalf of the Premier League.
Sean has had experience at The Independent, ESPN and Crystal Palace FC, and is currently doing social media work for Portsmouth FC. Sean has campaigned for LGBT rights in sport, appearing on BBC Radio 5Live about the matter. His passion is blogging and podcasting about Tottenham Hotspur.
Sean said: “I’m absolutely and thoroughly delighted to have won the NCTJ’s sports journalism award. I’ve been smiling from ear to ear and I can’t put into words just how proud I am.”
The full list of award winners is as follows:
The ITV News broadcast journalism award
Atif Rashid, City of Wolverhampton College
The Mark Allen Group business of magazines award
David McPhee, Glasgow Clyde College
The Facebook production journalism award
Zosia Eyres, Press Association Training London
The Society of Editors shorthand award (100 wpm)
Matthew Chandler, De Montfort University
The Sky Sports News shorthand award (120 wpm)
Isaac Johnson, University of Sheffield
The Archant award for essential journalism
Marta Emilia Bona, News Associates Manchester
The Archant videojournalism award
Alexander Miller, Leeds Trinity University
The Oxford University Press media law and regulation award
Jennifer Richards, Brighton Journalist Works
The Oxford University Press public affairs award
Louisa Chender, News Associates London
The Johnston Press media law: court reporting award
Anna Riley, Leeds Trinity University
The Premier League sports journalism award
Sean Walsh, University of Portsmouth
