GENDER balance in the media is among the topics up for scrutiny at the sixth Belfast Media Festival next month.
A panel session on 'Women in the Media' features a number of high profile speakers including singer and musician Cheylene Murphy, chair of Women in Film and TV Kate O'Connor, and former BBC broadcaster Sarah Travers.
With recent studies revealing that only 24 per cent of people in the news are women, the panel will explore how that trend can be reversed while highlighting informal support mechanisms available in the media and creative industries.
Belfast Media Festival director Moira Kean said the five networks represented on the panel - Go Girl, Honeycomb Creative Women, Wee Cup of Tea, Sound Women and Women in Business - offered women an opportunity to come together for mutual support.
"Networks are a great way to make connections, open new work opportunities and access support for challenges," she said.
"With females so under-represented in the media and creative industries, it is even more important for women to understand what networks are available to help them to grow and develop their careers."
Speakers at the two-day event in the MAC on November 5 and 6 (www.belfastmediafestival.co.uk) include Charlene Hegarty from Smalltown America Music Publishing; Ahmed Razek, technology demonstrator in the BBC Blue Room; Alice Webb, director of BBC Children's; Ade Rawcliffe Creativity Diversity, Channel 4; and Aoife Byrne, director of content and products at RTE Digital.
"There will be networking opportunities as well as insights into new technologies at this year's festival which is bigger than ever," Ms Kean added.
"Red cameras will be demonstrating their new workflow along with Avid, the BBC Blue Room will be showcasing the latest in consumer technology.
"There are a lot of festival 'firsts' this year and we’re delighted to be hosting the very first RTS awards ceremony in Northern Ireland as well as welcoming a large BBC Children’s delegation for the first time.
