Aspiring journalists: Applications open for Future News Worldwide 2017 conference

Facebook and Google News Lab will lead first day of workshops at international youth journalism conference. The British Council has announced that Google News Lab and social networking giant Facebook will host an exclusive series of training workshops for young journalists at the Future News Worldwide 2017 conference. Supported by some of the world’s leading media organisations, including Reuters, CNN and BBC, the conference will take place in the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, on 6 and 7 July. 

Now in its third year, Future News Worldwide 2017 will bring together 100 student journalists from across the globe for an intensive two-day journalism and media programme in Scotland’s capital, with talks and training from some of the world’s most high-profile media figures. Alongside a programme of skills workshops, delegates will network with other aspiring and established journalists, building strong and lasting connections to the next generation of media leaders across the globe.

Nick Wrenn, Facebook’s Head of News Partnerships for EMEA, will lead a workshop for the young journalists, focusing on how Facebook can help them build and grow their audiences as well as improve their reporting and story-telling by talking to people who are most interested in their news. The workshop will encourage the students to explore new and innovative content formats, such as live video and immersive 360 content.

“Future News Worldwide is committed to helping young journalists all over the world, so it’s a great match for the work we are doing at Facebook, helping people connect to and share credible news and information,” said Nick. “We’re excited about being part of the conference in Edinburgh.”

The Google News Lab workshop will equip the delegates with practical research skills and highlight data journalism tools that can help research and visualise ideas, including a deep dive on how Google Trends can complement storytelling. Delegates will immerse themselves in virtual reality, explore 360 degree video and see how publishers from around the world are using cutting edge technology.

“From a breaking news situation to a feature length article, the workshop will explain how Google Maps and Earth Pro images can complement social media posts or add a visual element to journalistic articles. We’ll dive into storytelling with Maps, find examples with StreetView and discover tools where audio brings panoramic images to life,” said Matt Cooke, the UK, Ireland and Nordics lead for the Google News Lab.

“We’re thankful to Future News Worldwide for inviting Google News Lab to their annual event – it’s a truly unique, global conference that supports the vital work of high quality journalism. The students attending will be part of the next generation of investigative reporters, fact-checkers and reporters – we’re excited to meet them, discuss and share ideas and collaborate in the fantastic setting of Edinburgh.”

Future News Worldwide 2017 is a partnership programme between the British Council and some of the world’s leading media organisations: Reuters, CNN, BBC, Facebook, Google News Lab, The Economist, The Herald, STV, as well as the Scottish Parliament and the UK Schools of Journalism. 

The programme is open to undergraduate students aged 18-25 who are passionate about journalism in any form. Attendance at the conference is fully funded for all successful applicants, including travel to and from Edinburgh. Application is via the website www.britishcouncil.org/future-news-worldwide and closes on 28 February 2017. For more information visit the website or contact FutureNewsWorldwide@britishcouncil.org