The countdown is on to the launch of next week’s Society of Editors free Virtual Conference for 2020.
Taking place from Tuesday 10 November 2020, the conference will see four In Discussion with… keynote talks as well as eight panel debates in the nations and regions held virtually over the course of November and early December.
The conference will kick off next week with debates on mental health in the newsroom and lockdown lessons from Leicester and beyond alongside a keynote discussion with BBC Editorial Director Kamal Ahmed. Free registration is open for all the events with details of how to book below.
Mental Health in the Newsroom
Tuesday 10 November 2020, 6pm
Register here
Top journalists and industry network leaders will debate what steps newsrooms could take to make a real difference to employees’ mental health and wellbeing. From investigating current newsroom initiatives to exploring work-related causes of illness, the panel will dig deep into this pressing issue. Chaired by SoE President Alison Gow, who is Audience and Content Editor for Reach North West, the discussion will also hear from Hannah Storm, CEO of the Ethical Journalism Network, Shirish Kulkarni, Community Organiser for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Freelance editor and consultant John Crowley and Jon Birchall, Reach’s sports audience strategy director.
Lockdown Lessons from Leicester and Beyond
Wednesday 11 November 2020, 6pm
Register here
With England heading into a second national lockdown and Leicester now having been under a variety of local restrictions for more than 100 days, hear from leading journalists in the Midlands about the experiences of on-the-ground reporters trying to get accurate, timely and trusted information to their readers, listeners and viewers. Chaired by Marc Reeves, former editor of the Birmingham Mail and Marketplace Publisher for Reach plc, the panel will include Liz Hannam, Head of News at ITV Central, Jane Haynes, BirminghamLive & Birmingham Mail People & Politics editor, Dan Martin, Politics reporter for LeicestershireLive and the Leicester Mercury and Ruth Smeeth, chief executive at Index on Censorship.
Kamal Ahmed: The Future of BBC News in a Changing Media Landscape
Thursday 12 November 2020, 12 Noon
Register here
The Society’s first In Discussion With… interview will hear from BBC Editorial Director Kamal Ahmed on The Future of BBC News in a Changing Media Landscape. With the BBC reporting significant success in capturing audiences during the current pandemic crisis, yet at the same time facing questions over alleged bias and its very future, the corporation’s Editorial Director will join SoE director Ian Murray to discuss what the future holds for reporting the news for the world’s most successful public broadcaster.
Details of all the panel discussions in the weeks ahead alongside how to book for keynote talks with the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon and Rachel Corp, newly-appointed editor of ITV News can be found here.
