Equality and diversity in media and journalism - where do we go now?

What is happening to equality in media and journalism right now? 

The last few months have seen dramatic curbs on diversity, inclusion and equity in the United States, affecting multiple areas of media, education and reporting. In the UK, you are twice as likely to find more privately educated white men in journalism than anyone else, and our media is ever more concentrated in the hands of billionaires and oligarchs. Meanwhile, some social media channels are rife with misogyny, racism, homophobia and anti-trans abuse.

But does it have to be that way? What can professionals, organisations and citizens do to make our media more inclusive in these challenging times? What can we learn from research, street newspapers, citizen journalism approaches and bodies trying to shape a better media and news landscape? How can all of us work together to create a world where the stories we tell, watch, hear and share celebrate the diversity of our communities?

This special Bylines Network webinar taking place at 6 pm on Monday 16th June, will connect you to experts in inclusion in media and journalism. You will hear unique perspectives from the UK and beyond, and you can join in the conversation yourself as we work together to make our media fairer, better and more diverse

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Panelists
Diane Kemp
Director of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Birmingham City University. Diane is the former Deputy Chair of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and has been a judge for the International Journalism Festival and the Royal Television Society’s journalism awards.
Jennie Kermode 
Writer and journalist specialising in LGBTQ issues and film, whose work has appeared in the New Internationalist, New Statesman and the Independent. A regular contributor to Bylines Scotland, her most recent book is Growing Older as a Trans and/or Non-Binary Person.
Mike Findlay-Agnew
CEO International Network of Street Papers (tackling poverty through journalism), LGBTQ+ Awareness EDI Trainer and Freelance Writer on Equalities.
Shirish Kulkani
Journalist, researcher and community organiser. Currently News Innovation Research Fellow at Media Cymru/Cardiff University School of Journalism and founder of Inclusive Journalism Cymru.

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How it works
This 90-minute session will include keynote reflections, ideas and calls to action from our panellists, followed by a panel discussion about the best ways forward, and an open discussion involving all webinar attendees:

6 pm - 6.30 pm: keynote reflections
6.30 pm. - 7 pm: panel discussion
7 pm - 7.30 pm: open discussion and Q&A

To join, you simply need to book your place via this booking page, and we will send you the Zoom link for the event.  During the webinar, you will be able to listen with your screen off if you wish to. There will be a live chat throughout the session with opportunities to join the debate and share your thoughts verbally or via text during the last half hour.

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For more information or to send us your questions and ideas in advance, email info@bylinesnetworks.co.uk.

            
This event is part of Indie News Week 2025.