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Scores sign up for future of media debate

More than 70 people have now signed up to attend a debate on the future of the Midlands media this week, held in the light of recent job losses across the region.

Organised by the Birmingham Press Club, the debate panel includes Birmingham Mail editor Steve Dyson and Birmingham Post editor Marc Reeves.

Also adding his name to the debate is Mike Owen, former programme controller of radio station BRMB, who now runs Mike Owen Media. It starts at 6pm this Thursday at Austin Court, Cambridge Street, Birmingham – admission is free and non-members are also welcome.

For more information and to reserve a place e-mail [email protected] or visit the Press Club website.


The Press Complaints Commission is hosting another seminar on the reporting of suicide.

In May, the Commission met in Bridgend to discuss the issues which arose from media interest in the spate of suicides in the South Wales town.

This latest event will examine ethical and practical issues and the importance of regulatory structures as well as comparing journalistic practices internationally.

Among the panel members are PCC director Tim Toulmin, Professor Sonia Livingstone from the London School of Economics and Anthony Langan from the Samaritans.

It starts at 6.30pm on 1 December 2008 at The BOX, Tower Three, London School of Economics. To reserve a place e-mail Tess Connolly at [email protected].


The Newspaper Conference annual lunch will be held tomorrow with Tory leader David Cameron as guest speaker.

An audience of regional press publishers, journalists, politicians and key media figures will attend the evemt in London.

The Newspaper Conference is made up of around 20 regional press lobby journalists who cover Westminster for newspapers across the UK. It is currently chaired by Yorkshire Evening Post political editor Mark Hookham.

The annual lunch is the main event of the Conference calendar which includes a series of lunches with high-profile politicians as guest speakers.


Emily Bevan-Pritchard, former picture editor of the Sunday Herald, has left the paper to join Glasgow photo agency Epicscotland as its new picture editor.

Emily was with the Newsquest title for four-and-a-half years and before that was picture editor of the Sunday Times Scotland.

At Epicscotland she will be helping to launch a new, web movie service alongside the agency’s photographic output.


The Northallerton and District Talking Newspaper has celebrated its 30th birthday. Run by volunteers, it features stories from local papers including The Northern Echo and sister title the Darlington and Stockton Times for the hard of hearing.