The National Council for the Training of Journalists announced today that it will launch a new Diploma in Journalism to replace its preliminary Certificate in Journalism, reports Hold the Front Page.

The new diploma will feature seven elements, like the past certificate, with five core subjects and two options students can choose from. Students will have to take reporting, multimedia portfolio, shorthand, essential public affairs, and essential media law.

This qualification, widely recognized among media circles and employers, has been preparing for a facelift since 2008.
The chairman of the NCTJ's qualifications board and Sunday Post editor, Donald Martin, told delegates at the launch of the new Diploma that journalists "now operate in a multimedia world. The boundaries between journalism sectors are no longer distinct."

"Employers like me are demanding multi-skilled journalists. And students, who are full of enthusiasm for this new world, want multimedia training, and multimedia NCTJ qualifications."

The NCTJ's qualification change proves just how deeply technology is changing the face of journalism.

Robert Niles from the Online Journalism Review wrote this week that student journalists need to learn SEO, or search engine optimization, over the AP stylebook. His call for more training in tech skills for journalists also highlights how important these skills are in the field of journalism today.

As search engines continue to drive large numbers of readers to news sites, Niles argues that mastering SEO early can help journalists make their pages more lucrative. Besides, SEO will bring in more readers to a site, and eventually, more money.

With some journalist students apprehensive about their future in a field that seems to be in 'crisis', adding features, like SEO and multimedia training to their academic programs will make them better prepared for the work market.

Sources: Hold the Front Page, Online Journalism Review