Programme
The Society of Editors held its Virtual Conference 2020 over the course of November and early December. The programme included five In Discussion with… keynote talks as well as eight panel debates. With thanks to sponsors Facebook Journalism Project and Camelot, supporter of the Society since 2001.
Catch up with our events
In Discussion With…
Thursday 12 November 2020: Kamal Ahmed, Editorial Director of BBC News.
Thursday 19 November 2020: Rt Hon Lord Burnett of Maldon, Lord Chief Justice.
Thursday 26 November 2020: Rachel Corp, Editor of ITV News.
Tuesday 1 December 2020: John Whittingdale MP, Minister of State for Media and Data.
Thursday 3 December 2020: Christian Broughton, Managing Director, The Independent.
Panel debates
Tuesday 10 November 2020, 6pm
Mental Health in the Newsroom – Rewatch here
Chair: Alison Gow, Audience and Content Editor North West, Reach plc
Jon Birchall, Sport Audience and Content Director, Reach plc
John Crowley, freelance editor and consultant
Shirish Kulkarni, Community Organiser, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
Hannah Storm, CEO, Ethical Journalism Network
Wednesday 11 November 2020, 6pm
Lockdown lessons from Leicester and beyond – Rewatch here
Chair: Marc Reeves, Marketplace publisher, Midlands & Wales, Reach plc
Liz Hannam, Head of News, ITV Central
Jane Haynes, BirminghamLive & Birmingham Mail People & Politics editor
Dan Martin, Politics reporter, LeicestershireLive & Leicester Mercury
Ruth Smeeth, chief executive, Index on Censorship
Monday 16 November 2020, 6pm
The size of Wales – Rewatch here
Chair: Ceri Gould, Editorial Revenue Director, Reach plc
Ashok Ahir, Deputy Director, Cabinet Office Communications
Helen Mary Jones MS, Chair, Media Committee, Welsh Parliament
Carolyn Hitt, Freelance Journalist and Co-Founder, Parasol Media
Paul Rowland, Audience and Content Director, Media Wales
Wednesday 18 November 2020, 6pm
Diversity in the News Media – Rewatch here
Chair: Polly Curtis, Managing Director, PA Media
Leon Mann, Broadcaster and Founder, Black Collective of Media in Sport
Shingi Mararike, News Reporter, The Sunday Times
Eleanor Mills, Founder and CEO, InHerSpace.co.uk and Chair, Women in Journalism
Vic Motune, Head of News, The Voice
Monday 23 November 2020, 6pm
Tackling the increase in online abuse against our journalists – Rewatch here
Chair: Joy Yates, interim Editorial Director for JPIMedia Scotland, and formerly of the Sunderland Echo
Louise Bradford, Managing Director of Creo Comms
Helen Dalby, Audience & Content Director, Reach North East, Yorkshire and Humber
Lee Hall, Head of School of Media and Communications, University of Sunderland
Karl Holbrook, Group Editor for Newsquest North East and editor of the Northern Echo
Tuesday 24 November 2020, 6pm
Scotland debate
Information in lockdown: The importance of a free press and the difficulties of reporting in a pandemic – Rewatch here
Chair: Donald Martin, Editor-in-Chief, Newsquest Scotland
David Clegg, Editor, The Courier
Lorraine Herbison, Head of News and Sport, Bauer Media Scotland
John McLellan, Director, Scottish Newspaper Society
Joy Yates, Interim Editorial Director, JPI Media Scotland
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 6pm
Northern Ireland: A place apart? – Rewatch here
Chair: Martin Breen, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life
Noel Doran, Editor of the Irish News
Sam McBride, Political Editor of News Letter
Fergal McGoldrick, specialist media litigation solicitor at Carson McDowell
Allison Morris, security correspondent and columnist at Irish News
Mike Nesbitt, Ulster Unionist MLA
Wednesday 2 December 2020, 6pm
State of Training, in conjunction with the NCTJ – Rewatch here
Chair: Alison Gow, Audience and Content Editor for Reach plc North West
Sian Cox-Brooker, Strategic Partner Manager Facebook
Sam Cooper, Journalism Course Leader, Sheffield College
Bridgid Nzekwu, Director of Media Training, PA Media
Will Gore, Head of Partnerships and Projects, NCTJ
