View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Student journalists awarded bursaries through NCTJ’s Journalism Diversity Fund

By Dorothy Musariri

Three journalism students have been awarded bursaries by the Journalism Diversity Fund.

Kay Loveridge, of Leeds Trinity University, Josephine Fay and Nicola Kenton, both of News Associates in London, received the bursary awards at a JDF event at Bloomberg’s offices in the capital last week.

Loveridge was awarded the Claire Prosser bursary, named after the former director of the BBC Journalism Trainee scheme who died suddenly in 2014.

She has been given the opportunity to complete placements with BBC News, Press Association and Wire Free Productions.

Fay and Kenton were presented with the Thomas Read bursary, which is given to people with long-term illnesses, health problems or disabilities.

They will both receive financial contributions from the Thomas Read Foundation and have the opportunity to carry out a work placement at Sky Sports News.

The bursary was named after Thomas Read, a cerebral palsy sufferer, who died unexpectedly in 2015, aged 25.

Connor Parker, who received the Thomas Read bursary last year to study at the University of Sheffield and now works as an intern reporter at HuffPost UK, took to the stage to praise the bursary for changing his life.

He said: “The JDF and the Thomas Read bursary paid for me to study as well as providing all the support I could ask for, which meant I had a fantastic year that taught me everything I needed to know and more.

“It’s so important to have diversity in the journalism industry – because I have a hidden disability and I’m from the north of England, I don’t fit the mould of the stereotypical London journalist, but because of that I can speak about those topics that define my identity, I can bring that voice to the table.”

Rianna Croxford, a former JDF recipient, who is now a broadcast journalist at BBC Radio 4 and World Service, also gave her testimony.

She said: “There’s no denying that journalism remains a socially and ethnically exclusive industry.

“This is why the Journalism Diversity Fund is so crucial. I would not be standing here as a qualified NCTJ journalist without it.”

Picture: NCTJ

Topics in this article : , ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network