The road to a sustainable future for great journalism

Over 130 budding journalists from schools in the Republic and Northern Ireland joined a stellar line-up of journalists to mark the Dublin launch of the News Academy – News UK’s investment in the next generation of journalists.

News UK, the publisher of The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times, established the News Academy to support 16-18 year olds hoping to forge a career in the media.

Today’s conference, held at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, was attended by students from fourteen schools across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The day of networking, debates, and talks was opened by Guto Harri, Director of Communications at News UK and a distinguished former BBC correspondent. Students then participated in three panel discussions and a Q&A session with an eclectic mix of journalists.

For the first discussion, ‘Digital Dublin and the Future of Journalism’, Derek Brown, Head of Strategy at The Sun, Mark Little, CEO of Storyful. Paul Clarkson, Editor of The Irish Sun, and Sarah Mason, Assistant Editor of Fabulous magazine tussled over the effects of digital innovation on the news media.

Sunday Times Ireland Editor Frank Fitzgibbon was confident that traditional brands will remain crucial in the future: ‘People have never had more options for accessing news, but newspapers have credibility built up over many decades that ensures they will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the national conversation, be it in print or digital editions.’

‘Journalism is still one of the most exciting and varied professions for students considering their career options and, through the News Academy, we want to play our part in developing the next generation of world-class journalists who will drive the industry.’

‘Journalism is still one of the most exciting and varied professions for students considering their career options and, through the News Academy, we want to play our part in developing the next generation of world-class journalists who will drive the industry.’

Journalism student Stephen O'Brien, 20, from Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education in Dublin, said: "I've gained so much knowledge from the experts looking to go forward with. It's very enlightening."

The other discussions also tackled the big issues of the day, with Martin Ivens, Editor of The Sunday Times in London joining the session on ‘What is Good and Important about Journalism?’. He debated with Deaglan de Breadun, Political Editor of The Irish Sun, Sunday Times Ireland Columnist Justine McCarthy and Guto Harri.

Whatever the students’ interests, at the Q&A session there was a journalist on hand to give them invaluable advice on how to get ahead – whether it was Jen O’Brien, Editor of The Sun’s Bizarre column talking about celebrity reporting, John Mooney, Security Correspondent of The Sunday Times Ireland, or Sports Writer Cathal Dervan of The Irish Sun.

The day finished with a speech by Leo Varadkar, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Reflecting on the event, Irish Sun Editor, Paul Clarkson, said: ‘The pace of change in newspapers is staggering and exciting. And it is vital we help develop the next generation of journalists to deliver a sustainable future for the industry. That's why I'm so proud we are hosting News Academy's first ever conference in Dublin today.’