#OTB21 · 17 November 2021
Freeview and Digital UK’s annual industry event, Outside the box, was back – in-person and on stage at London’s Picturehouse Central – probing the pertinent questions surrounding public service broadcasting.
We met as debate swirls over the role of news broadcasters in reporting divisive issues, and critical decisions loom over the future structure and scope of PSB – decisions that are pivotal for the wider UK television industry.
We tackled both topics with leading industry players, commentators, and political thinkers including veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil.
Broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman guided us through the event which has established itself as a 'must attend' for everyone with an interest in the future of PSB and free television.
All sessions will be available to view here shortly. Please register to request access to on-demand videos.
Meet our speakers
Learn more about our Outside the Box 2021 speakers
Bobby Duffy
Professor of Public Policy & Director of the Policy Institute, King’s College London
Learn More
Programme
Part 1 - Outside the Box 2021
08:30: REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
09:30: WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview and Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist.
09:40: KEYNOTE INTERVIEW - BREAKING NEWS
Andrew Neil, Publisher & Broadcaster in conversation with Beth Rigby, Political Editor, Sky News.
10:10: PANEL - REPORTING THE CULTURE WARS
Is the UK on a path towards a US-style culture war? What role has the media played in this if so? With so many 'hot button' issues surfacing in public discourse, how should UK news broadcasters report topics that divide society? How should they balance freedom of expression with providing platforms for those with extreme views? Impartiality rules provide balance but do they lead to bland news reporting which can turn viewers away in an age of opinion? How should broadcasters respond to accusations of 'wokeism'?
- Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London
- Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor, The Spectator
- Rachel Corp, Editor, ITV News
- Samuel Kasumu, Social Entrepreneur, Commentator & Strategist
Chaired by Kamal Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder, The News Movement
11:00 - 11:30: COFFEE BREAK
Programme
Part 2 - Outside the Box 2021
11:30: PANEL - BRITISH BROADCASTING FUTURE
We start by hearing creatives David Olusoga OBE, Sarah Doole, James Graham OBE, Mobeen Azhar and Sara Johnson talking about their hopes and fears for UK broadcasting and what they’d like to see broadcasters achieve in the next decade. We then turn to an expert panel to debate what they have heard and consider the practicalities of policy recommendations and requirements in the context of the Government’s forthcoming Broadcasting White Paper.
- Baroness Bonham-Carter, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for DCMS in the Lords
- Salma Shah, Partner & Senior Advisor, Portland
- Mark Oliver, Chairman & Senior Advisor, Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates
- Nick Toon, Director, Rationale Consulting
Chaired by Stewart Purvis CBE, Broadcaster, Author & Academic.
12:20: THE POWER OF TV
Karen Blackett OBE, UK Country Manager, WPP, in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist.
12:40: THE LAST WORD
Mark Thompson, Co-chair, International Fund for Public Interest Media in conversation with Pat Younge, Co-founder & Co-Managing Director, Cardiff Productions.
13:00: CLOSING REMARKS
Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist