Future News Worldwide is an annual media conference that took place in the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, Scotland from 4 – 7 July 2018. Selected from a highly competitive field of over 2,500 worldwide applicants, three Bangladeshi young and would-be journalists joined fellow aspiring reporters from 50 countries for an intensive three-day learning programme.
Delegates for Future News Worldwide were selected after a worldwide open application process, eligible to undergraduate and postgraduate students from any country, aged between 18 and 25 years old.
The Bangladeshi participants were Myat Moe Khaing, trainee in Grameenphone, Norma Hilton, student of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia and Jawwad Shadman Siddique, student of Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET). They have been selected through vigorous screening procedures by the British Council network. Selection was based on their qualifications and applications in response to the Future News Worldwide online campaign earlier this year. The participants were chosen from among hundreds of applicants across Bangladesh, solely on their passion towards journalism and the impact of their work in journalism so far.
Developed by the British Council and working in partnership with some of the world's leading media organisations, the conference identifies, trains and connects the next generation of international journalists by giving them rare access to insights from leading global media professionals.This year, the conference was led by BBC News presenter and former China Editor, Carrie Gracie, Reuters Global News Editor, Alessandra Galloni and veteran Kenyan Editor and open-data champion Catherine Gicheru.
Future News Worldwide provides a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for the next generation of top journalists to hone their skills and make global connections. With the media itself increasingly the subject of news headlines, the event presents a timely opportunity to focus on the universal values of objectivity, balance and evidence that underpin the profession. Topics discussed in the conference addressed the lens of storytelling and the challenges facing journalism in the digital age. This becomes extremely relevant for journalism in Bangladesh as the nation proceeds in the direction of a more digitally quipped country by 2020.
Participant from Bangladesh Jawwad Shadman Siddique says, “Never underestimate the power of a voice. When you have a voice, you could make a difference. Future News Worldwide acknowledges the existence of aspiring journalists who have the potential to make a difference through their voice. I feel overwhelmed to be a part of this elite platform.”Mark Wood, former Editor-in-Chief of Reuters and Chair of the Future News Advisory Board said, "Future News Worldwide 2018 is a unique event which gives young journalists from 50 countries the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the most outstanding media figures of our time. As well as focussing on high-quality, reliable journalism, they will take part in workshops which equip them to deal with all forms of digital communication. At a time when the demand for trustworthy news has never been greater, this conference will help plant the roots of dependable, quality journalism in countries around the world."
The event was trended across social media platforms by using the hastag #FNW18.
Find out more about Future News Worldwide here.