Men invited to discuss women working in the media

The third Women in Media conference is this year inviting men to discuss the common challenges and issues that they both face working in the media and dealing with journalists.

Former tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney will open the weekend conference on April 18th next and is among the main speakers along with former tánaiste and Labour leader Dick Spring.

The conference started in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, two years ago to specifically acknowledge the lifetime achievements of two women with strong links to the North Kerry town — the late Mary Cummins, Irish Times journalist, and the late Maeve Binchy, bestselling novelist and Irish Times journalist.

The first winner of the Mary Cummins Award for Women of Outstanding Achievement in the Media was RTÉ broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan and last year former Irish Times Editor, Geraldine Kennedy, won the award.

Ms Kennedy, will present the award to this year’s winner at a gala dinner in Kilcooly’s Country House on the Saturday night.

Event organiser Joan O’ Connor said one of the aims of this year’s conference is to broaden the debate about women in the media, and provide a forum for men and women to discuss the challenges and issues that they both face dealing with, and working in the media.

"The Women in Media conference is the only event of its type in Ireland and I am delighted that we are back with another really inspiring line-up of speakers," Ms O'Connor said.

“We aim to get both women and men alike discussing the issues of working in male-dominated industries, as well as celebrating those women who are an inspiration to us all,” she added.

The conference will also celebrate the achievements of some of Ireland's leading women journalists and writers including: Moya Doherty, RTÉ chair and Riverdance founder; Olivia O'Leary journalist and broadcaster; Dearbhail McDonald, Irish Independent; Róisín Ingle, Irish Times and broadcaster and publisher Norah Casey.

On April 18th, the opening broadcasting symposium on The Most Influential Women in Broadcasting Today will be chaired by RTÉ’s Prime Time political correspondent Katie Hannon.

The speakers will include: RTÉ authority chairperson and Riverdance founder, Moya Doherty; RTÉ's Prime Time j presenter Ms O' Callaghan; Irish Independent legal affairs editor Ms McDonald and president and managing director of Discovery Networks Western Europe Dee Forbes.

Mr Spring, former tánaiste, and journalist and academic Dr. Tom Clonan will be part of the political panel that will discuss Working in the Media and Politics – are Women Treated Differently?

This forum will be chaired Head of Journalism at the University of Limerick, Mary Dundon.

On April 19th, Irish Times online editor David Labanyi will chair the Online Media Symposium and this will be of great interest anyone interested in the fast changing pace of multi-media communications, including all media and journalism students.

For more information about the programme and to register for the events go to www.womeninmedia.ie or call (068) 27112