The BBC’s decision to move its main news to 10pm is likely to come up for discussion this month at the Society of Editors annual conference.

Top name speakers from the media, politics and other organisationsare lined up for the conference The future ofnews in Cardiff between October 15 and 17.

Chris Smith will deliver the first Society of Editors lecture and NigelDacre, editor of ITN, will also be taking part in the conference.

Neil Fowler, president of the society and editor of The Western Mail said:”With the BBC apparently ignoring Chris Smith’s plea to keep the news atnine, it would be surprising if he did not have something to say about it atour conference. ITN’s Nigel Dacre is also on the bill, so our programme iseven more topical than we thought.”

Philip Graf, chief executive of Trinity Mirror, will address the annualdinner during the conference. Sir John Stevens, commissioner of theMetropolitan Police will join a debate on political correctness with PaulNicholas, assistant editor of the News of the World, Rosie Boycott, editorof the Daily Express and Lord Warner, chairman of the Youth Justice Board.

Tory leader William Hague will speak on Monday October 15 along with AlexSalmond and Dafydd Wigley MP.

Other speakers will include investigative journalist Philip Knightley, whowill talk with BBC political correspondent Nick Jones, David Walter, PRchief for the Liberal Democrats and Jamie Shea of NATO on The firstcasualty the truth.

Geoffrey Robertson QC and John Wadham, director of Liberty will debateFreedom of Information and Human Rights with Guy Black of the PressComplaints Commission.

Other speakers will include: Ed Curran, Editor, Belfast Telegraph; Jonathan Grun, Editor, Press Association; Liz Page, Editor, Evening Press York; Marc Reeves, Editor in Chief, Trinity Newspapers Southern; Peter Long, Editor inChief, Celtic Newspapers; Rachael Campey, Editor, Evening Herald, Plymouth; John Jeffay, Editor, Manchester Metro News and David Clarke, Managing Director, Trinity Mirror New Media.

The Society of Editors has more than 450 members in national, regional andlocal newspapers, broadcasting and new media, media law and journalismeducation.

For further details and a full programme see www.ukeditors.com or phone BobSatchwell, director of the SoE on 01223 304080 or e-mail: [email protected]

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