Journo guru offers free tips on Youtube

Submitted by chris on Thu, 05/06/2008 - 7:47pm.

Journalism expert Cleland Thom is offering free advice via the popular video website Youtube, writes Chris Gaynor.

His series of videos are for students who are struggling to pass the British National Council for The Training of Journalists' preliminary certificates in law, public affairs and news writing.

Thom, who runs the Cleland Thom Online Journalism Training College, demonstrates to students the key points which, he claims, will achieve them a solid NCTJ pass which is the traditional gateway to provincial newspapers.

One of his tips for the news writing exam is to ignore the myth about having to dumb down your copy in order to achieve a pass.

He said, starkly: "There's no need to vary your writing style, just because it is an exam."

Thom added: "As long as you write an accurate, bright story with the latest news at the top with a snappy intro, you will pass the exam."

So far, he has had more than 50 views on each topic. The highest number of hits has been for the news writing, ironically.

Thom's videos last around 10 minutes each. Visit them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxzGyAwQTF0.

He has has also launched a new book, the How To - Media Law manual which has already sold 500 copies, according to his website.

Thom is legal adviser to the Manchester Evening News, Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers, The Local Radio Company and Essex Independent Newspapers.

Thom writes regular articles on journalism training in the weekly 'journalists' bible', the Press Gazette - also advertised on The-Latest (*see the top right hand corner of this site and click on the link.)

He also ran the successful NCTJ course at Highbury College, Portsmouth, for 10 years.

The-Latest also offers journalism advice for would-be journalists. * See the left hand column 'Journalism Tips' on the site for help.

Visit http://www.ctjt.biz/html/index.html to view Cleland's tips.

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