#DemDef – Presiding Officer welcomes launch of News UK to Pierhead for News Academy launch

28 March 2014

The National Assembly for Wales’s Presiding Officer, Dame Rosemary Butler AM, will on 31 March welcome News UK and budding future journalists to the Pierhead for the launch of News UK’s News Academy.

It aims to encourage the world-class journalists of the future and is being launched with a series of conferences in the UK including Cardiff.

The conference will be opened by the Presiding Officer who will welcome News UK and budding Welsh journalists of the future.

“I have been running a campaign to highlight the need for plurality of media coverage of the work of the National Assembly to ensure the democratic process works in Wales,” said Dame Rosemary.

“Part of that process is about encouraging the journalists of the future and teaching them how reporting the work of a country’s law-making body is central to a healthy democracy.

“That’s why I am pleased to welcome News UK, and possible future journalists, to the Pierhead today for the launch of this News Academy.

“I believe it could play an important role in addressing the Democratic Deficit in Wales by furnishing our future journalists with important knowledge about the democratic process in Wales.”

At the conference, young people from across Wales will take part in a series of sessions where they will discuss issues including:

• Youth disengagement and the media

• What does an editor do?

• Being a political correspondent; and

• How to get into journalism.

First Minister, Carwyn Jones AM, will also take part in a session where he will discuss the relationship between politicians and the media.

News UK, Director of Communications, Guto Harri, said: “The News Academy aims to inspire the next generation of news makers who will ensure a sustainable future for world-class journalism and I am delighted to bring the search back to my home town along with some great journalistic talent.”