Humanities and Social Sciences
Australian Centre for Independent Journalism

Speakers & Abstracts

 'GIVING THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT'

Saturday 18th October 2008

REGISTRATION: OPEN AT 08.00

SESSION ONE: 'UNDER THE RADAR: NEW MEDIA, NEW VOICES'

The spread of technologies has enabled audiences to access global news sources, but it's also giving voice to local communities under-represented in the past, and to those challenging mainstream and official viewpoints. How will the expansion of citizen journalism impact on communities, and on traditional forms of journalism?  TIME: 0900-1015

MODERATOR: Jenna Price (Journalism, UTS)

PANELISTS:

MORNING TEA: 15 MINS

SESSION TWO: 'BLOCKED ARTERIES: GATEKEEPERS VS. THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION'

How much are we entitled to know? In a so-called Age of Terror, is there an argument for withholding vital information? As use of the Internet crosses national and international borders, what controls should there be on matters of sub-judice? Is technology rewriting the rules on crime reporting? And what can be done when authoritarian governments shut down media outlets? TIME: 1030-1145

MODERATOR: Prof. Wendy Bacon (Journalism, UTS)

SESSION THREE: 'BEYOND CONVENTION: NEW WAYS OF TELLING'

New issues, new cultures and concepts require new ways of reporting and disseminating information, yet much of our media remains locked into templates that reflect a post-war, Anglo-centric view of the world. This disconnect with current, early 21st century realities produces reporting that often exacerbates, rather than illuminates, problems. Are there better approaches to connecting audiences with critical issues? TIME: 1145-1300

MODERATOR: Tony Maniaty (Director ACIJ, UTS)

PANELISTS:

LUNCH: ONE HOUR

SESSION FOUR: 'MAKING HEADLINES: POLITICS, ISSUES AND SPIN'

Behind those bold headlines is an increasingly sophisticated machine that shapes agendas and accentuates the positive. Political reporting wasn't always like this, but today the spin industry had much of the media in its grip. How did climate change, an issue that's been around for two decades, suddenly become the most talked about topic in the universe? Who's driving news, who's pushing and who's pulling? TIME: 1400-1515

MODERATOR: Quentin Dempster (ABC)

PANELISTS:

AFTERNOON TEA: 15 MINS

SESSION FIVE:  'BEHOLD A NEW HORIZON: MEDIAWORLD'

Exit the VJ or video journalist, enter the mojo - filing text, audio, video and stills from anywhere in the world with nothing but a mobile phone. How does the mojo impact on the more traditional forms of journalism, and journalism education? What effects will increasing media convergence have on massive, capital-heavy broadcasters like Japan's NHK? And where does all this leave the humble ink-and-paper tabloid? TIME: 1530-1645

MODERATOR: Christopher Warren, Federal Secretary, Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance

PANELISTS:

  1700 - CLOSE:  Following close of conference, adjoin to nearby bar for drinks (at own expense)