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Journalism expert wins national industry award for high standards of training

A University of Gloucestershire Journalism lecturer has won a national industry award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to high standards of training, in developing the next generation of journalists.

Paul Wiltshire, who has three decades of experience in the media industry, was named the winner of the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Chairman’s Award at a ceremony at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park.

The annual award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training and is presented by NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher.

Paul, Course Lead and Senior Lecturer on the University’s NCTJ-accredited BA (Hons) Journalism programme, said: “I’m incredibly humbled to receive the Chairman’s Award from the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

“Whatever role I’ve had – news editor, editor, trainer or university lecturer – it’s always been a huge privilege to develop the confidence and skills of people wanting to do what ought to be the best job in the world.

“At the moment, with concerns over misinformation, news avoidance, social media conspiracy theories and propaganda, it’s one of the most important jobs in the world, too, in getting to the real truth.” 

NCTJ chairman, Kim Fletcher, said: “During almost three decades as a journalist and news editor, Paul mentored trainees and nurtured the careers of all those under his watch.

“He took on formal responsibility for training journalists in newsrooms across the South West as regional editorial trainer for what is now Reach.

“At University of Gloucestershire as a senior lecturer in journalism, Paul discovered his purpose in life to be a support and mentor to the next generation of journalists.”

Image: left to right, Paul Wiltshire and NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher (credit: Josh Caius)