The Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity, and the Media Reform Coalition are launching a UK-wide conversation for students on the BBC Charter Renewal.
The first event, which is taking place at Birmingham City University, is being organised jointly by the Centre, the Coalition and BCUSU. It marks the start of a wider campaign to ensure that 16 to 25-year-olds - the generation with the most at stake in the BBC's future - have a genuine say in how it is governed, funded and run.
The launch event will feature a message from Sir Lenny Henry, whose Centre for Media Diversity at BCU has long championed inclusion and representation both on and off screen.
Guests will take part in a panel discussion exploring questions including why the BBC needs diversity of thought and representation at the BBC; if the corporation is still relevant to young people in the United Kingdom and how students would change the BBC if they were in charge.
Guest speakers include:
Anousheh Haghdadi
Anousheh Haghdadi is a qualified solicitor and social researcher who holds a PhD in Sociology from Goldsmiths, University of London. Her doctoral research explored the transformative potential of testimony in relation to gender-based political violence, drawing on the case study of Bosnia.
As Head of Research at Beatfreeks, she has developed award-winning methodologies and worked with clients including the BBC, Co-op, Citizens Advice, Walsall Council and Dudley Council. Anousheh works to critically assess service accessibility and to boldly co-create solutions and possibilities with young people and communities.
beatfreeks.com
Love Ssega
Love Ssega is an award-winning musician, performer and Southbank Centre Associate Artist. He has toured globally and recently had his debut children’s fiction novel, The Elementals: Wanzu Sets Sail, published by Little Tiger.
He is the founder of the collaborative Black-led clean air movement, LIVE + BREATHE and his work was presented at UN COP26 as well as being featured by New York Times Climate Forward. Love Ssega was a founding member of Clean Bandit and is a Trustee of Brian Eno-led charity EarthPercent.
instagram.com/lovessega
Nina Robinson
Nina is CEO of media production company, Soundtruism which aims to tell diverse and authentic stories in audio as factual narrative podcast formats. She is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards, including fellowship of the Radio Academy - the highest accolade awarded by the UK radio industry.
Nina is Leader in Module Delivery for postgraduate and undergraduate courses in Media and Journalism at BCU and a highly experienced journalist, as well as being the founder and organiser of Uni Pod Festival - a podcast creator festival for under 24s.
Hosted by:
Prof. Diane Kemp
Diane is a Professor of Broadcast Journalism at BCU, having previously worked in commercial and BBC radio before moving into BBC television news and current affairs.
Diane has been a consultant for the Council of Europe on diversity in journalism over a number of years and has also taught journalism ethics in Macedonia and Lithuania for the Fundamental Rights Agency and for Transparency International. She has also chaired panels at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy and been a judge for the UK Society of Editors and the Royal Television Society’s journalism awards.