Do you have an opinion about local radio and television programmes?

Do you think they are an important part of our lives?On Wednesday November 23, a free, open-to-all seminar will give professionals and the general public the opportunity to hear from experts and discuss Northern Ireland’s local media provision and its relevance.Organised by the University of Ulster’s Centre for Media Research, Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) and supported by Ofcom NI, the seminar titled, ‘The Value of Localism – What’s the Case for Local Media?’ will take place at the university’s Belfast campus and is the first VLV event to be held in the province for 15 years.Chaired by award-winning radio producer, former radio executive and VLV member, John Rosborough, the seminar will examine Northern Ireland media provision from a variety of perspectives – industry, regulatory, political, professional and educational.Invited speakers include:
Mike Nesbitt, NI Assembly Member for Strangford and former UTV journalist.
Dave Hyndman, Community Media Director of local TV station, NvTv.
Jonathan Rose , Director of Ofcom NI.
Maggie Swarbrick , Director, MA in Journalism, University of Ulster, and BBC broadcast journalist.
Professor Pat Loughrey, former Controller, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Director, Nations and Regions from 2000 - 2009. Pat is currently Warden of Goldsmiths College, University of London and a Visiting Professor at the School of Media, Film and Journalism, University of Ulster. Maire Messenger Davies, VLV Board member and Professor of Media Studies at the University of Ulster says: “This is a great opportunity to bring policy makers, regulators, broadcasters, academics, students and members of the public together to discuss an issue that affects us all – the ability of local media to inform us about what goes in our own communities and to hold those in power to account.”On a recent visit to Northern Ireland, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt , claimed: 

“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.“These new, local TV services will be a fundamental change in how people get information about their own communities, and how they hold their representatives to account.”

University of Ulster Visiting Professor, Pat Loughrey, former Director of the BBC Nations and Regions, and 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.“The seminar will ask: How true is this and what can be done about it?” 'The Value of Localism – What’s the Case for Local Media?' seminar takes place on Wednesday, November 23, from 4pm – 6pm in Room B82D23 on the University of Ulster’s Belfast campus, York Street, Belfast BT15 1ED.The event is FREE and open to everyone, but participants need to register their attendance by calling or emailing Linda Forbes on: 01474 338711, linda.forbes@vlv.org.uk

Further Information: Audrey Watson Media & Corporate Relations E: a.watson1@ulster.ac.uk