Reporting War on Iraq: The Challenge for Public Service Broadcasting

Mark Damazer, Deputy Director, BBC News

Andrew Murray, Chair, Stop the War Coalition

7pm, Thursday, March 27

Stanhope Centre for Communications Policy Research

Stanhope Place, London W2

(200 yards from Marble Arch tube)

Tel. 0207 479 5900

Tony Blair is taking the country to war in the face of overwhelming popular opposition. Yet this opposition still has to fight to be taken seriously by the media. What does this say about editorial priorities? Are the media guarding their integrity in the face of fast-moving events, or do they risk their reputation by keeping the movement at arm's length? Next week the BBC's deputy news director Mark Damazer will publicly debate the issues with Andrew Murray, chair of the Stop the War Coalition, organisers of the biggest protests this country has ever seen. This debate will aim to establish reference points against which coverage of the war can be judged and the media's performance can be audited. This is a vital discussion for all those concerned with the quality of our democracy. Organised by Media Workers Against the War www.mwaw.org For more information call David Crouch: 07801 789 297