Programme

Day 1 - Monday 9^th June

11:00	The Annual General Meeting of the Churches' Media Council BBC English Regions Faith Producers
12:45	Lunch
14:00	Conference Opening and Keynote Address Tim Gardam, former Head of Current Affairs at BBC TV and Radio, Controller of News and Documentaries at Channel Five, Director of Television and Director of Programmes at Channel 4, and currently Principal of St Anne’s College, Oxford.
15:15	Refreshments
15:45	Sector Meetings A chance to meet with peers and discuss issues in your own media sector.
17:00	Brave New Media Once upon a time, there were radio, television and the press. Experienced journalists reported the news, producers made programmes and skilled technicians made sure it reached the public. Then along came the internet. In this session, we will discuss how IPTV, social networking, blogging, gaming and mobile technology are setting the media agenda, and ask what will become of the "old" media. From the audience's perspective, we will explore what future TV and radio have, if any, and what else technology could offer customers. And from the production point of view, who will be making content for tomorrow's media and how? This session will also address the question of funding and what role public service broadcasting might have in this new landscape. With BBC's Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, Simon Parnall, Director of Advanced Technologies, NDS and a virtual appearance by new media controversialist Bill Thompson.
18:00	Exhibition and bar open
18:30	Dinner with entertainment from award-winning Radio 4 comedian Milton Jones.
20:30	Music on the lawn with Still Time Band.
21:00	Night Prayers in the Chapel

Day 2 - Tuesday 10^th June

08:00	Optional Morning Prayers in the Chapel
08:15	Breakfast
09:15	Searching for Values When broadcasting was invented its pioneers had to determine exactly what this new technology was for. In a new media environment the question must be asked again. In this session we will explore the social impact of the digital revolution. In a "many-to-many" broadcasting environment what happens to human values? Is there an ethic in the digital environment? If so, whose ethic is it? What are the risks and opportunities for people of faith? And what might the new technology do to people's souls? Dr David Wilkinson of Durham University and Dr James Hanvey SJ of the Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and Public Life are joined by philosopher and journalist, Julian Baggini and Sarah Joseph, the Editor of EmEl Magazine, as they search for values in the digital landscape.
10:45	Refreshments
11:15	Sector Meetings (2) A further chance to meet with peers in your media sector.
13:00	Lunch
14:15	Conference Fringe The first of two occasions to choose your own activities. Watch and discuss DVDs or other productions developed by delegates. Visit the exhibition or network with colleagues, associates and friends. Or simply relax and enjoy the facilities the Hayes Conference Centre has to offer.
15:30	Refreshments
16:00	Old Story, New Media The digital environment creates new opportunities and challenges for broadcasters, especially those with a faith background. Peter Kerridge (Premier Radio), Bishop Nick Baines and Mal Fletcher discuss how faith communities can meet the challenge of the digital revolution and tell the old story in the new media.
17:15	Conference Fringe As above.
19:00	Dinner
20:30	God on Trial Award-winning screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, talks candidly about his script for the forthcoming BBC drama in which prisoners in Auschwitz, their faith tested by their suffering and the barbarity of the Nazis, put 'God on trial'.
22:00	Night prayers

Day 3 - Wednesday 11^th June

08:00	Optional Morning Prayers
08:15	Breakfast
09:30	Facing the Future Andy Griffee (Controller, BBC English Regions) demonstrates the BBC's new initiative MyLocalNow. David Ashford introduces the people who have been working in the MediaNet Academy throughout the past two days, and presents their multi-media production to the Conference. Andrew Graystone brings news about Churches' Media Council initiatives.
10:30	Labib Madanat The head of the Palestinian Bible Society.
11:00	Refreshments
11:30	Open Floor Your chance to react to the issues raised at the 2008 Churches' Media Conference and to share thoughts, news and opinions with other delegates.
12:00	The McCanns and the Media - The Inside Story Kate and Gerry McCann have used the media in their search for their daughter, Madeleine, and they have been abused by the media. What has their experience of the media been like, and what does it teach us. The McCanns' spokesman Clarence Mitchell - himself a former BBC journalist - joins us to tell the story of the year from his unique perspective.
12.55	Official closure of the 2008 Churches' Media Conference
13:00	Lunch

Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to this Programme, unforeseen circumstances may necessitate a change of time, venue or speaker on occasions.