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Mental health in newsrooms on agenda at NCTJ conference

Kevin MaguireMental health, community reporting and sports journalism are set to feature as topics for discussion at this year’s NCTJ Journalism Skills Conference.

The NCTJ has unveiled the first speakers in its line-up for the conference, which will take place on 28 and 29 November at the University of Sunderland.

During the event, delegates will discuss the Facebook-funded community news project, which has seen more than 80 journalists recruited in regional newsrooms across England, Scotland and Wales to cover under-represented communities.

The conference will also host a discussion on keeping resilient and understanding personal safety, examining issues including online trolls, mental health in the newsroom and safety on patch.

The panel, which will include Elizabeth Pears, news editor at BuzzFeed UK and Adam Crafton, reporter for The Athletic, will “tackle safeguarding and not letting anxiety get in the way of finding a story.”

Another session on how digital developments have transformed sports reporting will feature Martha Kelner, from Sky News, and a representative from Sunderland AFC, while Andrew Musgrove, host of Newcastle United’s Everything is Black and White podcast, will speak in a debate about podcasting.

New skills in the world of social and mobile video journalism is also on the agenda, with Channel 4 News multimedia producer Sarah Gough appearing to discuss that topic.

Special guest Kevin Maguire, pictured, associate editor of the Daily Mirror, will also join delegates for a Q&A session at a drinks reception ahead of the NCTJ’s annual Awards for Excellence celebration.

The awards will be presented during a gala dinner and ceremony at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light home on the evening of 28 November.