A conference for Christians working in and interested in the media; Christians using media in Christian organisations; and for churches, groups and media professionals working in and interested in the faith sphere. An opportunity to spend a day together to hear from those working in the media – a day to be challenged, encouraged and inspired.
Amanda Allchorn CMN Trustee:
‘ Come and join us at BAFTA for a day to be challenged, encouraged and inspired…and with plenty of time for networking!’
Come for breakfast from 0830-0930. Or come for the day from 0930-1530 (with lunch included). Or come for both.
Programme to date:
8.30 Networking breakfast. An opportunity to meet with others over breakfast. Andrew Graystone interviews Caroline Wyatt, Religious Affairs Correspondent/BBC and we meet Paul Arnold, the new MediaNet Co-ordinator.
9.30 Welcome and introduction to the day, from broadcaster & Church and Media Network chairman, Rev Tony Miles.
09.45 The Gloves Are Off. Pre-election seasons are fertile ground for political rumours, gossip and smear campaigns. How do journalists of integrity make sure they keep their hands clean? And what are the dilemmas that they face when presented with an exciting salacious story? The panel includes political reporter Rob Hutton, Isabel Hardman from the Spectator and Radio Presenter, Shelagh Fogarty.
10.45 Coffee and conversation.
11.15 The Website Is Dead. The static one-way-street website doesn’t cut it any more in the digital world. We hear stories of how organizations are exploring new ideas in digital communications. Tim Levell, editor at BBC Radio 5 Live hosts, with guests including Bex Lewis, Research Fellow in Social Media and Online Learning at Durham University, Tim Plyming, Executive Producer, BBC Interactive and Siku, author of the Manga Jesus/The Manga Bible.
12.15 Lunch, and opportunities for networking.
13.00 Stories from the front line. We often hear stories about Christians who are ‘in the frontline’. In this session we will hear how faith can grow in these situations, how it can be challenged and what happens when faith is low. We consider where our ‘frontline’ is and where God is when we’re there. Guests include Tearfund’s Katie Harrison, recently returned from Iraq, Kate Bottley, vicar and participant on TV’s Gogglebox and Martha Linden, formerly a journalist with the Press Association, now a Senior Media officer for the CofE.
14.00 Interview with the Revd Richard Coles (inc Q&A). Well-known Radio 4 presenter and ordained minister Rev Richard Coles will be talking about his varied career, which began as one half of the 80s pop due The Communards (alongside Jimmy Somerville), and then, following his conversion to Christianity, took him into parish ministry, first in Lincolnshire and now in Finedon, Northamptonshire. He has been a broadcaster for many years and highlights include: reviewing films for a late-night programme on London Weekend Television, presenting The Mix on Radio 5 Live (for which he was nominated for a Sony Award in the New Broadcaster category), being part of the team at Radio 3’s The Verb before becoming the regular presenter of Radio 4’s Saturday Live. He’ll be talking about the journey that led him to faith, some of the challenges in the relationships he’s faced, and what it’s been like being a Christian working in the media
14.55 Wrap up, with Rev Tony Miles and Rev Alexandra Lilley.
15.00 Book signing / networking. Copies of Rev Richard Coles’ book will be available to purchase throughout the day (cash only) and there will be an opportunity to ask him to sign a copy as we depart BAFTA and move next door to St James’ Piccadilly.
The CMN AGM follows nearby at St James’ Piccadilly, as BAFTA is hosting The Jerusalem Awards in the evening.
Our Conference Chaplain is Rev Alexandra Lilley.
