NCTJ launches major survey of journalists

The National Council for the Training of Journalists is investing in a major piece of research to update its independent, comprehensive and up-to-date labour market information about journalists.

The research will update the reports – Journalists at work: their views on training, recruitment and conditions – that were published in 2002 and 2012. This research informs the NCTJ’s work on qualifications, training and diversity. More widely, the research provides an important source of information about the journalism labour market for everyone who has an interest in journalism and how things are changing.

As well as carrying out an analysis of existing national data and information, the project includes a bespoke online survey of journalists in the UK. The survey is based on the same questions used in the original research as well as some new topical subjects.

Analysis of existing data is already underway and the online survey is now open to all journalists to complete. The results will be presented at a seminar in the summer.

The 2018 research reunites the team at the centre of the 2002 and 2012 initiatives. Ian Hargreaves, professor of digital economy at Cardiff University, is advising the NCTJ; Mark Spilsbury is the research consultant; and the NCTJ’s chief executive, Joanne Butcher, is overseeing the project.

Speaking about the importance of updating the research, Ian Hargreaves said: “We waited ten years to update the original 2002 Journalists at Work research and there had been dramatic changes to journalism in that decade. I’m delighted the NCTJ has decided, due to the speed of change, to bring forward its plans and to invest in a major update of the research now.”

The online survey of working journalists will be open for four weeks. Taking part in the survey is simple, takes about 15 minutes and it is completely confidential – no individuals will be identified in the analysis or report.

Please click here to complete the survey.