Past Event: The Future of Journalism
An in-person event at 5pm on Friday 14th November 2026 at Durham University.
Event Description
A panel discussion at Durham University that looked at the seismic shifts that are reshaping modern journalism.
Journalism is going through a period of rapid transformation. News organisations are moving into the digital era, many putting up paywalls. Meanwhile, readers and viewers are now getting their news from a wide variety of unregulated online sources. Printed newspapers and traditional TV news programme audiences are in decline, and news on social media platforms is growing exponentially. At the same time, the role of the journalists has changed, with the advent of AI, social media, mobile video, podcasts and newsletters.
But what does all this mean for truth and accuracy? What’s it like working as a journalist in this new media world? And is journalism still a viable career option?
The event was organised jointly by the Media Society and South College. It's part of the Media Society on Tour initiative, which holds media discussion events around the country.
The discussion was introduced by Professor Tim Luckhurst, the Principal of South College and a former BBC journalist and newspaper editor, and the event was chaired by Nigel Dacre, the President of the Media Society, and former Editor of ITV News.
Event Panel
Lucy Watson: Lucy is an ITV News correspondent and newscaster. She has been China Correspondent, reporting on some of the biggest stories in the region, including the Hong Kong protests and from inside North Korea. Before that she was US Correspondent for ITV Daybreak, and a reporter for ITV Central. She grew up in the Wirral, attended Manchester University, and has a postgraduate diploma in Journalism from the University of Lancashire.
Sebastian Payne: Sebastian is The Times Leader Writer and Columnist, and an alumni of Durham University. Before The Times, Sebastian was Whitehall Editor at the Financial Times, Online Editor and Digital Managing Editor at the Spectator, a National Politics reporter at the Washington Post and a Data reporter for the Telegraph Media Group. He grew up in Gateshead, and has a Computer Science degree from Durham University and an MA in Investigative Journalism from London's City University. While at Durham, he was media editor of the Palatinate and manager of Purple Radio
Event Information
Tickets: free for students and University staff.
General tickets £10.
Location: The Nest, South College, Durham University, The Drive, Mount Oswald, Durham, DH1 3LD