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Founding Free Press editor to give inaugural university lecture

A former newspaper editor and MP will deliver a lecture at Glasgow Caledonian University later this month.

Brian Wilson will present his inaugural address to journalism and marketing students and communications professionals.

He will be discussing what future newspapers have and whether they still matter.

Last year he was made an honorary visiting professor in the Caledonian Business School at the university and teaches journalism, media writing, political communication and media ethics.

Brian was the founding editor of the West Highland Free Press in the early 1970s and still writes for the paper.

He has also frequently contributed to the Guardian, Observer, The Herald in Glasgow and Scotland on Sunday.

Journalism lecturer Julian Calvert said: “He was one of the first people to go to the post-graduate course at Cardiff University.

“He helped to launch the West Highland Free Press and is still very much in touch with it.

“He’s had various other jobs – at one stage he was the Guardian’s football correspondent for Scotland.

“From our perspective he has very good connections in journalism and politics.”

In his later career, Brian turned to politics and was Labour MP for Cunninghame North for 18 years during which time he held five ministerial posts.

He is also a director of Celtic FC and wrote a book the club’s centenary.

The free lecture is at 7pm on April 23. To register for a ticket visit the university’s website.