| Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 9.10am - 9.20am | WELCOME | MC: Lisa Millar, ABC Shona Martyn, CEO, the Walkley Foundation |
| 9.20am - 9.45am | KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS: Lessons for regional journalism from the international perspective Hear from the CEO and co-founder of the Texas Tribune about how they have harnessed community engagement as part of their business model, embraced data journalism, collaborated with other news outlets, and the stories and initiatives they have found really connect. Rural America is home to about a fifth of the U.S. population and comprises 97% of the nation’s land area. Since 2007 the Daily Yonder has provided news and perspectives on rural America’s economic, social, and political issues. The Yonder’s mission is to help paint more complex portraits of diverse rural communities, offer alternatives to urban-based media representations of rural life and culture, and build connections between rural and urban stakeholders. Editor Tim Marema will describe the challenges of operating a national news organisation that values and supports regionalism and localism. | Evan Smith, founder & CEO, The Texas Tribune (live from Texas) Tim Marema, editor, The Daily Yonder (live from Tennessee) |
| 9.45am - 10.10am | IN CONVERSATION: Discussion with keynote speakers, moderated by MC Lisa Millar. | Tim Marema, The Daily Yonder Evan Smith, The Texas Tribune MC: Lisa Millar, ABC |
| 10.10 am - 10.35am | BREAK | |
| 10.35am - 11.35am | PANEL: How can we sustain regional journalism? Curated by Public Interest Journalism Institute Join an international panel of experts to explore how policy, philanthropy and public buy-in can intersect to secure the future for public interest journalism across our communities. | Chair: Anna Draffin, PIJI Sue Cross, Institute for Nonprofit News Natalie Egleton, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal Jonathan Heawood, Public Interest News Foundation (UK) |
| 11.35am - 11.45am | PRESENTATION MEAA surveyed regional journalists about how they’re working, their concerns and what support they need. Director of MEAA Media Adam Portelli will share findings and recommendations from their research, building on the Our Communities, Our Stories campaign. | Adam Portelli, MEAA |
| 11.55am - 12.05pm | PRESENTATION *PS Media is a profit-for-purpose model for local news, designed to solve critical information needs and return profits back into the communities it serves. Founding CEO Simon Crerar will share their latest regional news consumer research, conducted in conjunction with the University of Canberra in January 2022. | Simon Crerar, PS Media |
| 12.05pm - 12.15pm | PRESENTATION Kristy Hess has been researching local media for more than 10 years and is an investigator on two Australian Research Council grants, including an ARC Linkage examining the future of local newspapers. | Kristy Hess, Deakin University |
| 12.15pm - 12.45pm | BREAK | |
| 12.45pm - 1.45pm | PANEL: Regional journalism: The heartbeat of the community This panel discussion will explore how regional journalism supports local communities, with examples of impact, advocacy and campaigning journalism. What does the community lose if the local paper or news station doesn’t exist? The panel will discuss examples of regional excellence and the ethical challenges for reporting in tight knit communities. | Gabrielle Chan, Guardian Australia Fiona Ferguson, editor, Northern Daily Leader Rudi Maxwell, Koori Mail Donna Page, Newcastle Herald Moderator: Rhanna Collins, NITV |
| 1.45pm - 2.05pm | PRESENTATION + Q&A How Facebook is investing in Australian rural and regional journalism. | Andrew Hunter, Facebook |
| 2.05pm - 2.15pm | BREAK | |
| 2.15pm - 3.15pm | PANEL: Who is investing in regional journalism? This industry panel examines what the established players in regional Australian news are doing. Discussion topics could include media diversity in regional areas; legislation, regulation and sustainability; regional excellence; the changing face of regional Australia; career paths and support for young journalists and emerging leaders in regional media. | Stella Lauri, WIN TV Hugh Martin, ABC Rod Quinn, ACM Moderator: Andrea Ho, JNI |
| 3.15pm - 3.35pm | PRESENTATION + Q&A What's coming up for Google's support to regional news media. | Shilpa Jhunjhunwala, Head of News Partnerships, Google |
| 3.35pm - 3.45pm | BREAK | |
| 3.45pm - 4.45pm | Regional journalism: The new wave Panel discussion featuring innovative business models to support regional and local journalism. | Simon Crerar, PS Media Tony Gillies, Founder, Public Interest News Services (PINS) Annabelle Hickson, Galah Moderator: Cathie Schnitzerling, ABC |