The Society of Editors free Virtual Conference for 2020 has now launched and free registration is open for next week’s programme of events including diversity in the news media, a discussion of whether the Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated a need for enhanced powers of devolution in Wales and a keynote talk by the Lord Chief Justice.
Next week’s programme will lead on Monday 16 November with a discussion titled ‘The Size of Wales’ and will hear from leading thinkers including the Welsh Parliament’s Media Committee chair Helen Mary Jones and Ashok Ahir, Deputy Director of Cabinet Office Communications to discuss whether the pandemic has changed views on the powers Wales already has alongside a closer look at the country’s contribution to spheres such as sport, politics and creative thinking.
Diversity in the News Media will form the basis of a panel discussion on Wednesday 18 November with speakers including The Voice’s Vic Motune and Black Collective of Media in Sport founder Leon Mann.
A keynote discussion with the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon will end next week’s programme events on Thursday 19 November. The talk will see Lord Burnett cover issues such as remote access, cameras in court and the challenges posed by social media.
The Society’s conference launched on Tuesday 10 November 2020 and 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. Free registration is open for all the events via the hyperlinks above and below.
The Size of Wales
Monday 16 November 2020, 6pm
Register here
With Wales now seeing an end this week to its 17-day Covid ‘firebreak’, we will hear from government figures and leading media thinkers about whether the pandemic has illustrated a need for enhanced powers of devolution in Wales. Panellists will also discuss the country’s contribution to spheres such as sport, politics and creative thinking and the role the Welsh language plays in the size of the nation on the global stage. Chaired by former WalesOnline editor Ceri Gould, panellists include Helen Mary Jones, chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Media Committee, Ashok Ahir, Deputy Director of Cabinet Office Communications, Carolyn Hitt, Freelance Journalist and founder of Parasol Media and Paul Rowland, Audience and Content Director at Media Wales.
Diversity in the News Media
Wednesday 18 November 2020, 6pm
Register here
What practical steps can the news media take to support diversity and how can diverse talent from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds and other underrepresented communities be supported to pursue a career in journalism? What can journalists do to engage more with marginalised communities? Hear more from industry leaders including: PA’s Managing Director Polly Curtis, Black Collective of Media in Sport founder Leon Mann, Women in Journalism chair Eleanor Mills and the Voice’s head of news Vic Motune.
Lord Chief Justice: The Law and the Media: Maintaining Justice
Thursday 19 November 2020, 12 Noon
Register here
The Society’s second In Discussion With… interview will hear from the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon on Thursday 19 November. Appointed to the position of Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales in October 2017, Lord Burnett will touch upon areas including cameras in court, video-access to live hearings and the challenges posed by social media and protecting fair trials.
Details of all the panel discussions in the weeks ahead alongside how to book for the keynote discussion with Rachel Corp, newly-appointed editor of ITV News can be found here.
