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Newry.ie was represented at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia at the weekend with editor Columba O'Hare on one of the many panels at the event. The festival which takes place annually sees journalists from all parts of the world descend on the Italian city to discuss the current state of play of journalism. the challenges and the opportunities.
Many thousands participated with a vast range of discussions taking place. Discussions included everything from social media to AI to disinformation. Included were: Finding your brand voice on TikTok; From drowning to surfing: How journalism can help audiences avoid information overload; Investing in the future of independent journalism and civic media; The power of editorial Cartoons; Telling the stories of Refugees and Migrants; The rise of populism and autocratism; Freedom of the press in Europe; Where are the Working-Class Journalists; Holding power accountable; Why Trust is Urgent; The Toxic Cocktail of Disinfo and Hate; AI and disinformation and What's next for the business of news.
Editor Columba O'Hare spoke on the importance of local news as well as some of the challenges confronting local media in Newry. The event took place on Saturday 22 April. Entitled 'Putting Communities First: Planning Local News'. The panel discussion organised by Public Interest News Foundation in conjunction with NewsNow included Rhiannon Davies, Greater Govanhill, Glasgow; Jonathan Heawood, PINF; Adam Newby, NewsNow; Sameer Padania, Macroscope Consultancy as well as Columba from Newry.ie.
The event took place in the beautiful Palazzo Cesaroni in Perugia. Built in 1897 it is the seat of the Regional Council of Umbria. Columba spoke about Newry.ie and the challenges in keeping a 'one man band' going, the issues around lack of accountability by local authority. He also spoke of a lack of confidence, Newry people can have in relation to their city and mentioned ongoing campaigns in building the Newry park and keeping Newry Ship Canal navigable.
A Newry Local News Plan meeting in November 2022 was described in detail as well as the important issue of funding.
Check out the video on this page.
Columba said "The Journalism Festival was an incredible event to take part in. As well as being on a panel I got plenty of opportunities to go to other discussions. It was wonderful to meet new people and hear from so many different voices from Journalism. Perugia is an absolutely beautiful city, such an amazing place and so full of life. To see people of all ages literally hanging around enjoying a conversation well after midnight in so many streets was so fantastic."
