Programme
The Society of Editors Media Freedom Conference 2023 – The Future of News took place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, London City on 15 March 2023.
Programme
9.00 am Coffee and Registration
9.45 am Welcome from Dawn Alford, Executive Director, Society of Editors
9.50 am The Future of News
Presentation by Nic Newman, Senior Research Fellow, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism followed by a panel discussion focused on engaging new audiences; understanding the user experience in a platform fluid world; data and demographics; securing the subscriber and media literacy
Panellists include:
Jo Adetunji, Editor, The Conversation UK
Professor Charlie Beckett, Founding Director, Polis and Head of the Polis, LSE Journalism and AI research project
Tom Richell, Head of Multimedia, The Independent
Sophia Smith Galer, Senior News Reporter, VICE World News
*Additional speakers to be announced
11.00 am The Future of Royal Reporting – panel discussion
Moderated by Camilla Tominey, Associate Editor, The Daily Telegraph
Panellists include:
Roya Nikkhah, Royal Editor, The Sunday Times
Catherine Mayer, Author of the best-selling biography of King Charles III, ‘Charles: The Heart of a King’
Russell Myers, Associate Editor, Daily Mirror
Sophie Peachey, Producer and Journalist, The News Movement
11.45am Coffee
12.15pm Politics, policing, power and policy – how the news media can better hold power to account – panel discussion
A discussion looking at the challenges facing journalists and openness and transparency in government and public institutions
Moderated by Rachel Johnson, Journalist and Presenter
Panellists include:
Rebecca Camber, Crime and Security Editor, Daily Mail
Anthony France, Crime Correspondent, Evening Standard
Conor Matchett, Deputy Political Editor, The Scotsman
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor, The Sunday Times
*Additional speakers to be announced
1.15 pm Lunch
2.15pm Leading by example: how investing in mental health benefits journalists and journalism
Hannah Storm, Founder and co-director, Headlines Network
2.30pm Trust and transparency – panel discussion
Has trust in the media improved as legacy media battles against disinformation? What more can the industry do to build trust both inside and outside the newsroom and should we be more open to scrutiny. What should we be proud of that has changed in news production? And what can we do next to build the reputation and celebrate the great work of journalists holding power to account?
Moderated by Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, Presenter, 5 News
Panellists include:
Charlotte Dewar, Chief Executive, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO)
Rizwana Hamid, Director, Centre for Media Monitoring
Abbianca Makoni, Investigative Journalist & Founder
Sarah Whitehead, Deputy Head of Newsgathering, Sky News
3.30 pm Coffee
4.00 pm The Editors’ Panel
A discussion with leading editors on the future of news and combating threats to journalism
Moderated by Julia Hartley-Brewer, Journalist and TalkTV and talkRADIO presenter
Panellists include:
Cait FitzSimons, Editor, 5 News
Neil McIntosh, Editor, The Scotsman
Alison Phillips, Editor, Daily Mirror
Ben Taylor, Editor, The Sunday Times
*Additional speakers to be announced
5.00 pm Keynote address: President Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
5.30 pm President’s speech by Kamal Ahmed, President of the Society of Editors followed by presentation of special fellowship award for outstanding contribution to journalism to BBC Journalist Clive Myrie.
6.00pm: Drinks
*Programme timings and topics are subject to change
