The Orkney News is a member of the award-winning Scottish Beacon local news collaborative – a collective of 24 independent local news providers right across Scotland. The aim of the collaboration is to strengthen local news by amplifying stories, giving a voice to those less heard, and to provide trusted, vital information.
Together, we’re joining the ‘No News is Bad News’ campaign, and in June as part of Indie News Week, The Scottish Beacon is hosting a one day event in Edinburgh packed with interesting conversations, lively debates and workshops. Open to all.
The Scottish Beacon celebrates the value of independent public interest news providers at ‘No News is Bad News’ part of Indie News Week 2024.
Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/scottishbeacon
- Date: Friday 7th June
- Time: 10am – 4pm TBC
- Location: Grassmarket Community Project, Edinburgh
- Attendees: Open to the public. Advertised through networks. Max capacity 120. Tickets: £15-£30
About the campaign
The ‘No News is Bad News’ campaign from the Public Interest News Foundation is founded on the belief that a well-informed community is more able to act together to shape its own future, that local news is fundamental to a healthy democratic society and invaluable in helping to create strong communities.
Despite this, independent community news providers are struggling to generate enough revenue to carry out their invaluable work, putting local democracy, civic engagement, and community cohesion at risk.
Indie News Week aims to combat this by allowing community members to directly engage with local news outlets to better understand their contributions. This week-long celebration of independent news outlets will consist of a range of activities organised within communities across the UK.
About the event
The Scottish Beacon is a collaborative network of 24 publications based all across Scotland – from Shetland in the north to Dumfries and Galloway in the South. The Beacon was launched as both:
- A network to connect independent publishers, and share skills, resources and story collaborations
- A platform to amplify stories from Scotland’s communities
We want to hold an event that brings to the light the value of independent public interest news providers and discusses the challenge they face, with a lively day of talks, workshops and discussions.
What to expect
- A packed day of inspiring panels, lightning talks, interactive workshops and conversations.
- A chance to network with others interested in public interest journalism
- Lunch and teas/coffees provided
Topics covered (TBC)
- The future of local news and its role in communities
- How policies can better support public interest journalism
- Diversifying the news – why representation matters
- The possibility of a Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute
- Funding journalism
- Reporting from Ukraine
- Influencing behaviour change through climate reporting
Confirmed speakers
- Jen Stout, speaking about her new book ‘Night train to Odesa’
- Members of the Scottish Beacon collaborative
- Juliana da Penha, founder of Migrant Women Press
- Members of the Scottish Govt Working group on future of public interest journalism
- Richard Leonard MSP
- Richard Walker, Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute working group
- Gabriella Bennet, Women in Journalism Scotland
- Hani Barghouthi, Public Interest Journalism Foundation
- Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ Scotland
- Talat Yaqoob, Pass the Mic
- Clare Harris, Local Storytelling Exchange
Sponsorship opportunities
Show your support for independent local media, while also raising the profile of your own organisation with one of our sponsorship packages. Current sponsors include: Women in Journalism Scotland, the Corra Foundation and the Local Storytelling Exchange. For more info, email Rhiannon Davies
| Bronze | £200 | Listed as a Bronze sponsor, and your logo included in the programme and promotional materials. |
| Silver | £300 | Listed as a Silver sponsor in promotional material, and your logo and in short blurb on your work included in the programme. |
| Gold | £500 | Listed as a Gold sponsor in promotional material, and your logo and in short blurb on your work included in the programme. Opportunity to provide a 5 minute lightning talk on your work. Or have a short notice read out by a presenter. Opportunity to host or sponsor a break out event in the boardroom. |
| Platinum | £1000 | Listed as a Platinum sponsor in promotional material, and your logo and in short blurb on your work included in the programme. Opportunity to provide a 5 minute lightning talk on your work. Or have a short notice read out by a presenter. Opportunity to be listed as sponsor for a specific panel/talk in the main room. Opportunity to host or sponsor a break our event in the boardroom. |
