38th Annual Conference: Creative Regions – Creative Economy
26th and 27th May 2022, Galway, Ireland
TG4 (the Irish national broadcasting TV channel) hosted 38th Annual Conference of CIRCOM Regional on the 26th and 27th May 2022 in the Galmont hotel in Galway, Ireland, following strict Covid guidelines. The Conference and the Prix Gala were streamed live.
Theme: Creative Regions - Creative Economies
We explored the role regional public service broadcasters can play in influencing the cultural and economic vibrancy in the region. The conference also centred around the value of Public Service Broadcasting and its role in promoting the diversity of culture and how we can promote better region-to-region cooperation between media in Europe. The key conference topics were Sustainability of Journalism, Creative Regions - Creative Economies, Digital Transformation, Reaching Young Audiences and PSB Prominence.
Conference Picture Gallery
Wednesday, 25th May
19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION
SAINT NICHOLAS’ COLLEGIATE CHURCH, Lombard St., Galway City Centre
TG4 and CIRCOM Regional welcome conference delegates to Galway at a reception hosted in one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Informal event showcasing Irish traditional music and culture View more >>
20:30 PRIVATE CINEMA SCREENING - CUMAR
THE PÁLÁS CINEMA, 15 Merchant’s Rd Lower- Galway City
CUMAR (the Irish for Confluence) is an artistic exploration of Galway examining the myriad confluences which have shaped its unique cultural fabric. Filming was carried out over four seasons charting the city and county’s changing palettes, moods and weather fronts.
Thursday, 26th May - Conference Day 1
THE GALMONT HOTEL, Galway City
9:00 - 9:15 WELCOME ADDRESS
9:15 - 10:40 Session 1: SUSTAINABILITY OF JOURNALISM
Can our democracy survive disinformation? How is journalism contributing to the pursuit of truth?
Olaf Steenfadt, Journalism Trust Initiative at the press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders, RSF.
Razan Ibraheem, senior editorial analyst with Kinzen.
Victor Pickard, Professor of Media Policy, and Political Economy at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication, where he co-directs the Media, Inequality & Change (MIC) Centre.
Moderator: Máirín Ní Ghadhra, RTÉ and TG4 presenter
10:40 - 11:00 Break
11:00 - 12:30 Session 2: CREATIVE REGIONS, CREATIVE ECONOMY
As Regional Public Service Broadcasters, how can we act as a catalyst for the Creative Economy in our Regions? Can regional creative industries help to create plurality & diversity in the media ecosystem?
John Newbigin, OBE, Ambassador for Creative Industries. Founder and first Chairman of Creative England (from 2011 to 2018).
Nicola Lyons, Production Manager, Northern Ireland Screen agency - developing dynamic screen industry in Northern Ireland, including international productions such as Game of Thrones.
Irial Mac Murchú, CEO Nemeton. Pioneering sports production company based in the South-West of Ireland producing for TG4, RTÉ, BBC and Sky Sports.
Panel discussion
Moderator: Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of the Western Development Commission
12:30 - 13:45 Lunch
13:45 - 14:50 Session 3: LOCAL NEWS
Does Local News matter? Do local stories get adequate voice on the news agenda? Can PSBs give more relevance to local stories?
Matthew Barraclough, BBC, Head of Local News Partnerships.
Sandrina Hadderingh, Editor-in-Chief - Omroep Gelderland.
Panel discussion
Moderator: Páidí Ó Lionáirdis, News Editor with Nuacht TG4
14:50 - 15:15 Break
15:15 - 17:00 Session 4: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
How are we transforming our newsrooms? How do we reposition our business to adapt to the digital world? How can we enable our teams to embrace change?
Nergiz Nora Westerbergh, Head of Digital Content at SVT News and Sports and Kristian Lindquist, SVT.
Alessandro Baracchini, Journalist and Anchorman at RAI News 24, former Editor–in–Chief of RAI News 24’s Foreign Desk.
Mika Lavonen, Head of News and Current Affairs Production at Yle, Finland.
István Pálffy-Orbán, supervisor of TV services at Duna Media.
Panel discussion
Moderator: Neil Bennett, BBC, Member of CIRCOM Regional’s Executive Committee, currently helping drive BBC England’s Mobile Journalism integration and transformation of newsrooms to meet new digital challenges.
All Day (9:00 - 17:00)
TÉLÉTHÉQUE PRIVATE VIEWING ROOM
The Téléthéque is a private video library room that will be open throughout the conference. Attendees can enjoy their very own private screening of the 2022 Prix CIRCOM Regional programme entries.
THE GREEN ROOM
The GREEN ROOM is an interactive breakout room where attendees can get a taste of Galway’s culture, learn a few words of Irish Gaelic and experience some new innovations in media tech. Some exhibits include: Planet Hologram, Animotive, RealSim, Bodhrán and Uilleann Pipe making plus an exhibition called Curracha (two-man boat) which showcases bespoke painted Currach sculptures.
17:00 - End of conference day 1
19:00 - 23:00 - PRIX CIRCOM Regional GALA EVENING
19:00 Prix CIRCOM Regional Gala Dinner
21:00 Prix CIRCOM Regional Gala Award Ceremony presented by David Lowen, Mojca Recek and Caitlín Nic Aoidh.
The Gala will award the Prix CIRCOM winners 2022 and recognize the winners from 2020 and 2021. Entertainment will be provided by internationally acclaimed, Máirtín Ó Connor & Band (Cathal Hayden, Seamie O’Dowd & Jimmy Higgins), siblings Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, and a toe-tapping dance performance from Galway based dance group, Fusion Fighters.
Friday, 27th May - Conference Day 2
THE GALMONT HOTEL, Galway City
9:00 - 10:25 Session 5: YOUNG AUDIENCES
How are young audiences consuming news? How do we connect with our young audiences? How can PSBs reach and build brand loyalty with Gen Z?
Prof. Dr. Alexandra Borchardt, author of the recently published EBU News Report 2021 – 2022: “What’s Next? Public Service Journalism in the Age of Distraction, Opinion, and Information Abundance”.
Sophia Smith Galer, Senior News Reporter, Vice World News.
Blindboy, Irish Satirist, Musician, Podcaster, Author, and TV presenter.
Moderator: Niamh Ní Chróinín, presenter with TG4.
10:25 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 12:10 Session 6: REPORTING CLIMATE
Keeping climate in the news! How can PSBs sustain audience interest and engagement in climate change stories? How are we as PSB organisations minimising our carbon footprint?
Erika Bjerström, Global Climate Correspondent, SVT. Former Bureau Chief and US Correspondent. Former Africa Correspondent, EU Correspondent and author of four books.
Tara Peterman, Executive Producer - Climate Change Coverage, RTÉ News & Current Affairs. Award winning Producer and Journalist.
Roser Canal Mas, Lead on international strategy at BAFTA Albert (the home of environmental sustainability for Film & TV).
Panel discussion
Moderator: Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile, award winning journalist and presenter with TG4, Sky News Ireland and RTÉ
12:10 - 13:15 Session 7: PSB PROMINENCE
Is our PSB content findable for our audiences? In a multi-platform environment, who is curating the content? What are the solutions being taken by PSBs in UK and Europe to ensure public service content is accessible to audiences?
Kate Biggs, Ofcom UK Director in the Broadcasting and Online Content Group at Ofcom and leads Ofcom’s work on commercially funded PSBs, PSB legislative reform and prominence.
Wouter Gekiere, Head of the EBU Brussels office
Panel discussion
Moderator: Liam Boyle, currently with Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, has over 14 years’ experience in broadcast media compliance
13:15 - 13:30 CIRCOM Regional TRAINING CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION
The conference will recognise the trainee journalists who took part in the CIRCOM training sessions at the National University of Ireland’s School of Journalism.
13:30 - 13:40 Look ahead to 2023
Announcement of the host of next, 39th CIRCOM Regional Annual Conference in 2023
10:00 - 11:45 MEET THE PRIX CIRCOM WINNERS (Veranda room)
You are invited to watch the PRIX CIRCOM Regional winners on a large screen in the Galmont Hotel (Veranda room). Watch the very best that regional public service has to offer.
10:00 - 10:45 Documentary winner
10:45 - 11:15 Digital Multimedia winner
11:15 - 11:45 News Report
Each showing will be introduced by one of the judges.
13:30 - 14:30 - Lunch
All Day (9:00 - 13:30)
TÉLÉTHÉQUE PRIVATE VIEWING ROOM
The Téléthéque is a private video library room that will be open throughout the conference. Attendees can enjoy their very own private screening of the 2022 Prix CIRCOM Regional programme entries
THE GREEN ROOM
The GREEN ROOM is an interactive breakout room where attendees can get a taste of Galway’s culture, learn a few words of Irish Gaelic and experience some new innovations in media tech. Some exhibits include; Planet Hologram, Animotive, RealSim, Bodhrán and Uilleann Pipe making plus an exhibition called Curracha (two-man boat) which showcases bespoke painted Currach sculptures
14:45 - 20:30 - EXCURSION
Following the official ending of the 38th Annual Conference of CIRCOM Regional, guests will be invited to take part in an excursion to Connemara and the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
The Green Room
This year we will also have an interactive breakout Green Room where attendees can flavour some of the age-old Galway traditions, whilst marvelling at some new innovations in media tech.