Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon praised students from the News Academy today – as they grilled her about her life in politics.

The SNP leader spoke to around 150 wannabe journalists at our third Glasgow conference, held in News Scotland’s Guildhall offices today (Wednesday December 7).

Sturgeon, faced questions regarding media plurality, ‘biased’ BBC coverage and the possibility of a second independence referendum.

She said: “It’s fantastic to be here. News Academy is an absolutely fantastic initiative.

“Quality journalism is vitally important to the health of our democracy and society as a whole.

“It’s encouraging to see News Scotland’s commitment to training and the skills of the next generation of journalists.”

Sturgeon also touched on the future of news and the pressures of being a woman in politics before departing with a bouquet of flowers given to her by Scottish Sun mascot Sunny.

Next up was a debate hosted by Lindsay McIntosh, deputy editor of The Times in Scotland.

The panel of speakers – ITV News correspondent Martin Geissler, BAFTA-winning BBC journalist Sam Poling, freelance showbiz reporter Bev Lyons, Scottish Sun editor Alan Muir and editor of The Times in Scotland, Magnus Llewellin – were asked, ‘Is Objective Truth Still Important?’.

The quintet spoke at length on their beginnings in journalism, a challenging period for publishers and the importance of accuracy.

Sam said: “My first editor took me aside and said, ‘Sam, if your mum says she loves you, check it!’”

The panel - who later took part in break-out sessions where they were quizzed about their careers by the media hopefuls - also answered several questions from the News Academy audience.

But they decided that the day’s best had come from the First Minister’s Q&A. Lori Delaney, 22 - an MLitt Digital Journalism student at Strathclyde University – had asked Ms Sturgeon her thoughts on the UK government’s Investigatory Powers Bill. Her prize was a Google Nexus.

Scottish Sun columnist Martin said: “The discussion was refreshing and interesting, and it was great to meet so many curious minds.”

News Scotland General Manager Richard Bogie added: “I’m delighted to see the conference, in its third year, grow. The brilliant questions made the panel session fly by.”