The national journalism training body has said a disability “should not be a barrier” to newsroom employment after a teen with cerebral palsy was told he wouldn’t pass a journalism diploma because he can’t do shorthand.
The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) has waded into the affair after the story, first reported by the Glasgow Evening Times, drew widespread criticism, including from high profile politicians.
Sports writer Kyle Gunn, 19, is planning to take two-year course in Practical Journalism at Glasgow’s Clyde College, which incorporates the industry-standard NCTJ level three Diploma in Journalism.
But he has been told by accreditation body the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) that he would not be awarded the qualification as a result of not being able to complete shorthand exams – a result of his disability.
He told the Evening Times: “I know a lot of other journalists and some have said they don’t have shorthand. It’s not that I am unable to learn it, this is something I cannot help. Journalism is something that I really want to do. It seems really unfair…”
Tory Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) Maurice Golden has taken up the issue with the SQA, calling it “deeply unfair”, and has also raised it with Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson MSP tweeted: “Cerebral Palsy should be no barrier to journalism. @mgoldenmsp is right to highlight Kyle’s case and ask @sqanews to reconsider.”
Some journalists were also quick to dismiss the importance of having shorthand in their careers.
BBC business presenter and correspondent Joe Lynam said: “I failed my shorthand course as part of my journalism postgrad. It didn’t hold me back that much.”
Newspaper journalist Claudia Connell said the decision was “ridiculous”, tweeting: “So many strands of journalism where shorthand is not required.”
In a statement, the SQA said it was the NCTJ that was “responsible for setting the training standards for journalists in the UK”.
“Following extensive consultation with the industry, the NCTJ has confirmed that shorthand is a vital skill which is demanded by employers,” a spokesperson said.
“As part of the Equality Act, we allow reasonable adjustments to our qualifications for disabled candidates.
“However, we are unable to adjust the competency standard stipulated by the industry itself, in this case the NCTJ.”
Under current training standards set by the NCTJ, students who complete the Diploma in Journalism without taking the shorthand module – made optional last year – can still achieve a “gold standard” pass if they achieve an A-C grade in all subjects.
But, in order to progress to the National Qualification in Journalist (NQJ), which awards senior status and can only be taken after at least 18 months in the industry, students must have completed the shorthand, court reporting and public affairs modules.
(At the majority of local news publishers, achieving the NQJ is also tied to a significant pay rise.)
The NCTJ does have a policy of providing “reasonable adjustments” in exam conditions for students with disabilities or learning difficulties.
These include allowing extra time, assistance such as a sign language interpretor and also “using assistive technology, such as screen reading or voice activated software”.
But, Press Gazette understands that this does not ordinarily go as far as including voice recording equipment in place of manual note taking, which is the focus of the shorthand assessment.
Under policy guidelines, The NCTJ states: “Any adjustment to assessment must not invalidate the assessment requirements of the qualification or the requirements of the assessment strategy.
“Whilst we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that a learner with a disability or difficulty is not placed at a substantial disadvantage, in comparison with persons who are not disabled, in terms of access to assessment, there is no duty to make any adjustment to a provision, criterion or practice.
“All learners’ performance must be assessed against set standards. These standards cannot be altered, but it may be possible to change the delivery or process of assessment so that each learner has an equal opportunity to demonstrate what they know, understand and can do.”
In a statement to Press Gazette, an NCTJ spokesperson said: “In all of the NCTJ’s qualifications, including shorthand, we make reasonable adjustments and give special considerations to learners with particular needs.
“The NCTJ Diploma in Journalism is an industry-designed vocational qualification and is recognised as the industry standard, pre-entry qualification for trainee journalists.
“Shorthand is an elective component of the diploma, which means that learners may complete the qualification without shorthand.
“The NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism is a professional qualification taken by regional newspaper journalists after a minimum of 18 months of employment.
“Although the eligibility requirements for this qualification include shorthand, applications made for learners unable to meet the eligibility requirements are always considered, and adjustments will be considered for candidates with particular needs.
“For example, we have a trainee sitting the November NQJ exam who cannot achieve 100wpm shorthand, so alternative arrangements have been made following a discussion with the editor and the trainee.
“The NCTJ actively encourages people with disabilities to train as journalists, and we provide bursaries through the Journalism Diversity Fund for those who need help with their training.
“The Thomas Read bursary is named after an inspirational young journalist with cerebral palsy at Sky Sports News who died suddenly in January 2015, and was specifically launched to help journalists with disabilities.
“We strongly believe that a disability should not be a barrier to getting a job in journalism, and even if employers have shorthand as a requirement, applications will normally be considered on a case-by case basis.
“We are unable to comment on SQA policies.”