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Join us in Edinburgh for the first Big Issue Big Debate

We’re hosting four Scottish journalistic powerhouses and asking them one question: will journalists ever be trusted again?

The Big Issue Big Debate

The Big Issue is taking centre stage at an international magazine festival to host the inaugural Big Issue Big Debate this month as we bring four of the UK media’s brightest lights together to ask: will journalists ever be trusted again?

In an era of mis-information, fake news and easily inflated online opinion masquerading as fact, journalists are increasingly marginalised and vilified.

Get your tickets for The Big Issue Big Debate here

Over the last three decades the media has undergone a radical transformation with globalisation as well as a digital and social media explosion delivering a move away from traditional print in the way we consume media – and how it is manipulated.

In that time, The Big Issue has become a trusted media icon and a cultural landmark across the UK.

So for Edinburgh International Magazine Festival 2019, we are asking four of the industry’s heavyweights if the profession at large can regain lost trust.

On the panel will be:

  • Stuart Cosgrove – Scottish journalist, broadcaster and television executive. He was Controller of Arts and Entertainment then Head of Programmes on Channel 4. He is also well known in Scotland as co-host of Off the Ball, the hugely popular football radio show. His is author of several award winning books on race and soul music.
  • Tasnim Nazeer – award-winning journalist, author and Universal Peace Federation Ambassador for Peace. A contributor to Al Jazeera English, Huffington Post, TRT World and Radio 2.
  • Angela Haggerty – a journalist and crusading reporter, she has written for a host of publications including Sunday Herald and Commonspace and is a well known news commentator on stations including BBC Scotland and Radio 5 Live.
  • Martin Geissler  – a former foreign and Africa correspondent for ITN in a 30-year career in television news. He moved to the BBC last year and is presenter of The Nine, the new BBC Scotland Channel’s flagship news programme.

Big Issue UK editor Paul McNamee, who will be chairing the debate, said: “This era of fake news, mis-information and distrust we live in has completely changed the media landscape.

“But trusted journalism is now more important than ever so we have invited three of the industry’s best-informed, insightful and opinionated heavy hitters to cut through the fake news and put the world to rights. Join us!”

So join us in Edinburgh’s Cabaret Voltaire at 7.30pm on September 19 for just £10.

Hurry and get your tickets before they’re all gone here

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For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
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