Graduate wins NCTJ shorthand award

By UK Journalism

A newspaper journalism graduate has won a prestigious NCTJ award for excellence in shorthand.

Deborah Linton was awarded the ëHarry Butler awardí which is given annually to the candidate who submits the best shorthand note and transcription which is 100% accurate at 100 wpm.

It was set up in 1990 in memory Harry Butler who was known as ìMr Shorthandî and was the Chairman of the NCTJ Shorthand Board for many years.

Invaluable

Deborah, who completed her Postgraduate in Newspaper Journalism in 2006 and now works at the Bolton Evening News, said: ìI was surprised to win the award but of course very pleased. I don't know how I'd do my job without shorthand; it's invaluable to getting decent quotes and strong stories.î

Her shorthand tutor, Pat Brand, said Deborahís success was Down to her determination.

ìShe kept focussed, didn't miss any of the sessions and listened to what she was told to do. Deborah learnt the theory and developed her speed to over 100 wpm in 21 weeks!î

Deborah is one of 639 students who passed this examination during 2005-2006. She has been invited to the Shorthand Seminar that will be held at the London Television centre on the 8th March and will be presented with her award by NCTJ Chairman Kim Fletcher.

She isnít the first UCLan student to be successful in shorthand; in 2005 David Coates was awarded the Cumbrian Newspapersí Award for 110 wpm.

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