First day of Journalism in Crisis
May 19, 2009
There is a feeling of excitement as the first day of Journalism In Crisis is about to begin. Last minute checks are being made, cameras are ready, journalism students from the University of Westminster prepare their interviews while the Regent Street Campus is hosting one of the most exciting journalistic events in the capital.
Today, James Curran (pictured) from the Goldsmiths College will start a day of discussions with “Journalism in Crisis”, a keynote speech about the dilemmas the industry is facing today.
A series of conferences will then take place covering topics such as investigative journalism or the evolution of online media.
You have many ways to follow the action. A multi-media coverage has been set up where:
- students from the University will be blogging live on Westminster News Online
- a livestream broadcast has been arranged so that anything said or shown in the Old Cinema will be available online
- photographs will be taken throughout the day and published on the University’s Flickr account
- and since new technologies are at the centre of many discussions, there will also be “tweets” posted on Westminster’s Twitter account.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
12:50 This fantastic day of conferences will begin with a welcome speech by the Dean of School of Media, Arts and Design Sally Feldman.
13:00 Professor James Curran from Goldsmith College will deliver a keynote speech untitled “Journalism in Crisis”.
14:00 Three conferences will then follow: “Investigative Journalism” chaired by Xin Xin, “Connecting with Audiences” chaired by Annette Hill and “Journalism and Politics” chaired by Naomi Sakr.
16:00 The second half of the afternoon will be dedicated to a series of discussions over “Journalists Training and Working” chaired by Anthony McNicholas, “Reflections on Journalism” chaired by Steven Barnet and “New Developments-Glasses Half Full?” chaired by Peter Goodwin.
17:45 The University will establish a Skype connection with Professor Todd Gitlin from Columbia University for a keynote speech on “The Crises in Journalism: Business, Attention and Authority”.
BBC, Sky News at the University of Westminster
May 14, 2009
BBC Director General Mark Thompson and Sky News associate
editor Simon Bucks are two of several journalists speaking
at Journalism In Crisis.
JIC is a conference which the University of Westminster and the
British Journalism Review are putting on jointly.
Over two days, the event will combine talks and smaller
breakout sessions on topics ranging from citizen journalism
to news as a business to how the web is changing all news media.
The event runs 19-20 May, 2009 at the university’s campus
in central London at 309 Regent Street, London, W1B 2UW.
Keynote Speakers
On Tuesday, James Curran a professor at Goldsmiths College will
deliver ‘Journalism in Crisis,’ the first of two keynote speeches that day.
Professor Curran is the director of the Goldsmiths’ media center and
has written many books on media, history, influence and business.
The second keynote on Tuesday will be from Todd Gitlin, a professor
of journalism and sociology at Columbia University.
Giltin writes about the media and America.
Over 40 University of Westmintser journalism students will be at the
conference covering it live for Westminster News Online.
Opportunities
Coverage which the students produce will also be offered to
the large UK media organisations like Sky, BBC and ITV News.
“That’s an exciting opportunity for [our students],” Rob Benfield says.
Benfield, a TV veteran with over 35 years of experience, is now
a lecturer at the University of Westminster. He is executive producing
the student coverage.
Geoffrey Davies, the head of Westminster’s Journalism and Mass
Communications department also thinks the conference is good
for future journalists.
“This is a huge amount of work for students,” Davies says.
“But, it’s invaluable experience that can only help them in
their careers.”
Research and Alternatives
Davies thinks that to have the Department of Journalism and Mass
Communication, and the British Journalism Review cooperating to put
on Journalism in Crisis shows the university at its best.
“Events like this confirm our status as the leading media research
university in the country,” Davies says.
In its brief on Journalism In Crisis, Westminster reports that this
conference will address how journalism’s traditional business model
is under threat.
But, the brief says it will also discuss the alternatives emerging on the web.
It’s the alternatives that are likely to be most interesting to the students in
attendance, alternatives which some students will already be utilizing as they
cover the conference live for WNOL.