THE FUTURE OF LOCAL JOURNALISM IN SCOTLAND
As part of the UK-wide Indie News Week and the ‘No News is Bad News’ campaign from the Public Interest News Foundation, the Scottish Beacon (of which the Spurtle is a founding member) will hold its first public event in Edinburgh on 7 June.
The campaign is based on the belief that a well-informed community is more able to act together to shape its own future, that local news is fundamental to a healthy democratic society and invaluable in helping to create strong communities.
Despite this, independent community news providers are struggling to generate enough revenue to carry out their invaluable work, putting local democracy, civic engagement and community cohesion at risk.
Partners in the Scottish Beacon collaborative are holding an event which brings to light the value of independent public-interest news providers in Scotland’s communities and discusses the challenges they face, with a lively day of talks, workshops and discussions.
What to expect
- A packed day of inspiring panels, lightning talks, interactive workshops and conversations.
- A chance to network with others interested in public-interest journalism.
- Lunch and teas/coffees provided.
Topics covered in panels and workshops
- The future of local news and its role in communities.
- How policies can better support public-interest journalism.
- Diversifying the news – why representation matters.
- The possibility of a Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute.
- Funding journalism.
- Reporting from Ukraine.
- Influencing behaviour change through climate reporting.
Speakers (subject to change) include
Members of the Scottish Beacon collaborative; Jen Stout, speaking about her new book ‘Night train to Odesa’; Juliana da Penha, founder of Migrant Women Press; Members of the Scottish Govt Working group on the future of public-interest journalism including Richard Walker; Gabriella Bennet, Women in Journalism Scotland; Richard Leonard MSP; Hani Barghouthi, Public Interest Journalism Foundation; Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ Scotland; Talat Yaqoob, Pass the Mic; Clare Harris, Local Storytelling Exchange; Rhiannon Davies, founder Greater Govanhill, The Scottish Beacon, The Community Newsroom … and many more to be confirmed!
The event will take place from 10am–4pm on Friday 7 June in The Grassmarket Community Project (see map below).
Tickets are limited, so book yours while you can. Visit eventbrite here.
