News and Events

Frontline seminar series launches in London

29 May 2012

The Media School at Bournemouth University launches summer seminar series bringing its top research to the journalism industry.

The Media School at Bournemouth University (BU) launches a series of summer seminars today, bringing the department’s top research to the front line of the journalism industry.

The first in the series, ‘Emotional news: journalists, trauma and audiences,’ takes place from 6-8pm at The Frontline Club (a short walk from Paddington Station, London).

The event aims to cover critical issues journalists deal with first hand, particularly in war and foreign reporting, and examine the challenges of covering emotionally distressing news, trauma and international conflict both objectively and with empathy.

Director of the Dart Centre Europe, Gavin Rees, and BU’s Professor of Public Communication, Barry Richards, will discuss their research on emotional literacy in journalism and the implications for training. Stephen Jukes, Dean of the Media School and former Head of Global News at Reuters, will lead a discussion on objectivity in emotionally aware journalism during the age of social media. BU’s Professor of Journalism Stuart Allan, Dr Caitlin Patrick and Dr. Einar Thorsen will analyse some recent examples of news imagery in relation to trauma, particularly coverage of the recent capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.

The seminar will be particularly relevant to those handling difficult emotions in the production of news and the emotional impact news content has on an audience.

‘Emotional news: journalists, trauma and audiences’ is the first in a series of three free seminars taking place over the summer. Each is aimed at professional journalists and asks challenging and intriguing questions about how the profession shapes news, ethical choices, interviewing on sensitive subjects and journalism in the digital age.

Future seminars will take place at The Frontlines Club on Thursday 14 June, covering political engagement and audiences and Thursday 5 July, covering political extremism and the media.

Professional journalists can register for these free seminars online.