Newsworks To Host First Ever Festival Of News

Newsworks is set to host its first-ever ‘Festival of News’ event, which focuses on the importance of quality trusted journalism and why it matters to readers and advertisers.

Editors Victoria Newton, The Sun; Alison Phillips, Mirror; Emma Tucker, The Sunday Times; and Charlotte Ross, Evening Standard, will open the event with a ‘Without Fear. Without Favour’ discussion on free speech and the stories that matter. 

Broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman will host the one-day festival featuring rising stars of the industry and high-profile journalists from the worlds of politics and sport.

Steve Barclay, Downing Street’s chief of staff, will speak at the event while leading marketers and media figures will discuss topics including brand safety, hard news and why journalism matters to advertisers.   

The one-day conference will celebrate the best of news brands – from insightful and inspirational stories to the positive impact of campaigning journalism, through to thought-provoking debate and the all-important politics of the day. 

Jo Allan, chief executive of Newsworks, said: “We wanted to put on this Festival to bring everyone together to both celebrate and explore the importance of journalism through storytelling, inspiration, and debate. 

“With such a stellar line-up of speakers from publishers to the wider media industry, I am sure it will be a lively, valuable and entertaining day.”

Compered by broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman, speakers include editor of The Sun Victoria Newton, director marketing communications at Lloyds Banking Group Richard Warren, Daily Mail columnist Andrew Pierce, chief executive of Carat UK Clare Chapman, editor of the Daily Mirror Alison Phillips, managing director, digital and innovation at The Telegraph Karen Eccles, Downing Street chief of staff Steve Barclay, editor of The Sunday Times Emma Tucker, acting editor of the Evening Standard Charlotte Ross, chief brand strategy officer at Mail Metro Media Ryan Uhl, Mirror assistant editor and football writer Darren Lewis, EVP, publisher at The Sun Dominic Carter, founder of Creative Salon Sonoo Singh, as well as up-and-coming talent including the Evening Standard’s reporter Emma Loffhagen, with many more to be announced. 

The Festival of News will take place on 9 June at the British Library’s Knowledge Centre to coincide with the Library’s ‘Breaking the News’ exhibition from 22 April to 21 August 2022, which is supported by Newsworks.

Please email events@newsworks.org.uk for more information about attending.