[ecrea] the value of localism; vlv, ofcom, cmr seminar, Belfast 23 nov

The influential media consumer organisation, Voice of the Listener and 
Viewer (VLV), is combining with the University of Ulster's Centre for 
Media Research, and Ofcom NI, to host the first VLV event in Northern 
Ireland for 15 years at UU's Belfast campus. The theme will be 'The 
value of localism.' UU Visiting Professor Pat Loughrey, one of the 
speakers at the seminar, points out:. 'In any hierarchy of audience 
need, local news comes first. Sadly, those needs are seldom reflected in 
political or corporate priorities.'
How true is this and what can be done about it? These issues will be 
discussed by a diverse panel - see below:


PROGRAMME DETAILS


'The value of localism - what's the case for local media?'

A Voice of the Listener & Viewer Seminar, supported by Ofcom and
The Centre for Media Research, University of Ulster



Wednesday 23 November 2011

4.00 -- 6.00 pm

University of Ulster, Belfast Campus, Room B82D23, York St, Belfast BT15 1ED

Admission free, refreshments provided

According to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy 
Hunt, 'local TV will contribute to growth in the creative industries, 
develop local journalism and help to bring communities together around a 
shared voice and interest.'  In contrast, the BBC's recent announcement 
of a major cuts in local radio services, arising from the 
Government-imposed license-fee freeze, mean that listeners and viewers 
face  serious changes in the direction of 'free-to-air' broadcasting - 
changes that will have major consequences for our society in terms of 
democracy, culture, creativity and learning.

So how much do local media really matter? And how important are they in 
Northern Ireland?

Invited speakers include:

Dave Hyndman, Community Media Director of local TV station, NvTv
Mike Nesbitt, NI Assembly Member for Strangford and former UTV journalist
David Mahoney, Director of Content Policy, Ofcom
Maggie Swarbrick, Director, MA in Journalism, University of Ulster and 
BBC broadcast journalist
Professor Pat Loughrey, Warden of Goldsmiths College, University of 
London, Visiting Professor at the School of Media, Film and Journalism, 
University of Ulster and former Director of Nations and Regions, BBC.

Chair: John Rosborough, award-winning radio producer and former radio 
executive, and member, Voice of the Listener & Viewer

Admission is free but participants need to register their attendance.
Please contact: Linda Forbes at (Linda.Forbes /at/ vlv.org.uk) or call 01474 
338 711



Máire Messenger Davies, PhD, FRSA,
Professor of Media Studies, Centre for Media Research,
School of Media, Film and Journalism
University of Ulster, Cromore Rd,
Coleraine BT52 1SA, Northern Ireland, UK
Telephone: +44(0)2870124069
www.arts.ulster.ac.uk/media/cmr.html
email: (m.messenger-davies /at/ ulster.ac.uk)
twitter:@mairemd

LATEST BOOK - 'Children, Media & Culture' 
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