Top media speakers join line-up for journalism skills debate

Phil Henfrey, head of news for ITV, and Mark O’Callaghan, head of news and current affairs for BBC Wales, will be addressing delegates at the NCTJ’s Journalism Skills Conference in Cardiff on Thursday, 2 December.

They will be joining Barry Jones, editor-in-chief of North Wales Newspapers, and Rhian Gibson, director of commissioning at S4C, for a question time debate at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The Press Association and Visit Wales will be sponsoring the annual two-day event, which brings together representatives from journalism’s education, training and industry sectors.

The conference provides a platform for the top names in journalism to discuss the latest issues associated with developing professional journalists across all media sectors. It also celebrates the achievements of those involved in journalism education and training.

Leighton Andrews, minister of children, education and lifelong learning, will give the opening address, which will be followed by the question time debate. Cardiff Castle will host an evening reception and dinner, where the chairman’s award and accolades for the top performing courses will be presented.

On day two, at the Glamorgan Building at Cardiff University, the Press Association will demonstrate its newswire service and highlight its value as an educational tool.

Topics for discussion will also include reporting devolution, the election debates, ‘What is a fully converged journalist?’, and future changes to the industry’s gold standard qualifications and accreditation. The event will conclude with a tour of Media Wales.

Details of the prices for delegates, and further information about the conference, can be found here.

To reserve your place(s) please complete the and email it to shevon.houston@nctj.com as soon as possible to secure the preferential early booking rate.