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For those of you who were unable to participate in the first Futures Group webinar here is an opportunity to join an outstanding panel of journalists - George Arbuthnott, Deputy editor, Sunday Times insight team, Shaun Lintern, Heath correspondent, The Independent and Mary Fitzgerald, editor-in-chief, opendemocracy.net - who share their candid views on government press officers toeing the departmental ministers line to hide the truth from "prying" journalists.
What became clear during the session was the scale of the threats during the Covid-19 crisis from government and special interests to democratic accountability. Not just the denigration of 'campaigning newspapers' and excluding certain reporters from briefings, but the wider lack of scrutiny of contracts and disregard for competitive tender processes.
The goal posts are being shifted to evade scrutiny and if the profession does not stand together, on this, the long term picture is bleak for all journalists and an open democratic society.
To view video of the session Click Here
With our thanks to the panellists and Nick Duxbury, Group Creative Lead, Redwood BBDO, who ability facilitated the discussion. Also, many many thanks to Barbara Rowlands, Associate Professor (Education) and James Rutherford, Senior Educational Technologist at City, University of London, without whom this important session would not have been possible.
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