Why is there still a lack of diversity in some sections of the news media? This question will form the basis of a free panel debate at tonight’s SoE Virtual Conference for 2020.   

Taking place at 6pm via Crowdcast, registration is still open for the free discussion with leading journalists due to discuss what more can – and should – be done to increase diversity in newsrooms. Chaired by PA Managing Director and former HuffPost UK Editor-in-Chief Polly Curtis, the panel will also include Leon Mann, Broadcaster and Founder of the Black Collective of Media in Sport, Eleanor Mills, Founder and CEO of Inherspace.co.uk and Chair of Women in Journalism (WIJ), Shingi Mararike, News Reporter at The Sunday Times and Vic Motune, Head of News at The Voice.

Alongside a focus on how diverse talent from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds and other underrepresented communities can be supported to pursue a career in journalism, the discussion will also consider how newsrooms can increase engagement with marginalised communities and better attract and retain diverse voices in fields such as reporting sport, politics and other areas of journalism. 

Ian Murray, Executive Director of the Society said that the debate would focus on practical steps for encouraging diversity in the media as well as a no-holds-barred look at why there continued to be a lack of representation in some aspects of the UK news media.

He said: “We all know the industry faces a challenge in creating newsrooms that truly reflect the diverse communities they represent. We have known this for some time, but although there has been a great deal of work done to try and resolve the issue, the challenge remains. This panel will take the gloves off and tackle the hard issues of just what could and should be done.”

Registration for the free ‘Diversity in the News Media’ discussion is still open.