Kirsty Wark chairs broadcast debate for relaunched media conference

Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark will chair a high profile debate on the future of broadcasting at the relaunch of the University of Salford’s Nations and Regions Media Conference.

The debate, taking place at the University of Salford’s MediaCityUK campus on Tuesday November 15, will see the distinguished journalist and a panel of leading figures discuss a range of broadcasting and production issues affecting the nations and regions.

The discussion will be recorded in front of an invited audience of leading industry professionals for broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live later in the week.

Beth Hewitt, Festival Director for the University of Salford said: “The changes facing the broadcast industry, particularly in the wake of Brexit, are the subject of much debate and so it’s very exciting that this discussion is taking place here at The University of Salford with Kirsty Wark at the helm.”

The debate is being held ahead of an exciting and new look Nations and Regions Media Conference (NARM), which will take place in spring 2017 and will tackle some of the key issues that are vexing broadcasters and producers across the UK.

The conference, hosted by the University and supported by newly appointed steering committee chair Ruth Pitt, will take place at The Lowry arts centre in Salford on March 28-29.

Plans are also underway for an event to showcase the high quality work being produced outside the capital and to encourage high-level talent to re-locate to other parts of the UK.

NARM steering committee chair Ruth Pitt said: “In the early years the Nations and Regions Media Conference was the go-to event for anyone in our industry working outside London.

“You could say the conference has since been the victim of its own success because many of the changes that were fought for in those early days have been achieved – today we have MediaCity, far better engagement between broadcasters and regional indies all over the country, much better diversity and some massive global players operating across the nations and regions.

“So what we need now is a conference that acknowledges and anticipates contemporary challenges affecting the media landscape.”

Festival director Beth Hewitt continued: “Our MediaCityUK campus is right in the heart of a regional media hub, with the BBC, ITV and a wealth of independent production companies and producers right on our doorstep, and so it is absolutely fitting that both this debate and the conference should be held here. We look forward to announcing other exciting speakers, both national and international, who will be involved in both events.

“We are delighted that Ruth Pit has joined us. This is an exciting time for the Media Conference and Ruth’s experience and understanding of the current media landscape is exemplary, with particular emphasis on the indie sector and its relationship with the broadcasters.”

The NARM conference aims to provide a platform for the media industry to unite, collaborate and debate. Anyone with ideas or suggestions for what they would like to see at the conference can get in touch by contacting the University of Salford via nationsandregions@salford.ac.uk.