Coleraine hosts national journalism conference

Over 100 students from over 10 countries are expected to attend a major national journalism conference at Ulster University's Coleraine campus on Friday.

The North-South Journalism Conference is the largest national journalism conference in the UK or Ireland this year and boasts a range of speakers including UTV's Paul Clark and political biographer Stephen Walker.

Politicians, editors from radio, TV, newspapers and online will also attend, together with over 110 trainee journalists from Denmark, America, Republic of Ireland and elsewhere. 

Led by Professor Colm Murphy at Ulster University, it is organised in partnership with the largest journalism schools on the island of Ireland - Dublin City University and Technological University Ireland - as well as Belfast Met and other journalism schools.

“We are delighted to host this international journalism event in Coleraine where we have taught journalism for several decades," said Professor Murphy.

"We have invested over £150,000 this summer in journalism facilities on the campus, bringing to over £7m our investment to bring world-class journalism training to Coleraine.

“Our initiative in developing this conference to promote better understanding amongst trainee journalists on both sides of the border and internationally about Northern Ireland has been recognised nationally by the leading journalism training body, the NCTJ. They have shortlisted for its prestigious Innovation of Year award in UK journalism training.

"We have also built-up strong connections with the journalism schools in DCU and TUD and it showcases our area to this influential group.  We are also using the conference to promote local organisations like the NW200, Coleraine FC and tourism," he added.

It is the first time an international journalism conference has been held in Coleraine and organisers estimate that it is worth over £21,000 to the local economy, as well as the marketing benefit.

The event is organised by the Communication, Cultural and Media Studies Research Institute at Ulster University, Coleraine, in partnership with the journalism research staff at Technological University Dublin and Dublin City University with assistance from Garfield Weston Trust.