We were delighted to welcome back on site the Norfolk Cambridge Society on 28 September 2023 for their 18th public lecture in their high-profile series. With every seat in the Blake Studio taken, the audience of pupils, staff, ONs, parents and those interested in the future of the media in UK heard a compelling talk from Roger Mosey, Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge. Roger had spent most of his career at the BBC, holding positions at various times as Editorial Director, Head of BBC Television News, Editor of the Today programme, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, Director of Sport and the BBC Director of the London 2012 Olympics and brought this considerable experience and insight into the lecture and subsequent discussion.
The evening kicked off with a presentation of the prestigious Essay Competition that the Norfolk Cambridge Society host annually. This year’s worthy winners included ONs, May Maclennan, George Windle and George Bowyer. George Bowyer was there in person to be awarded his certificate.
Thereafter, our speaker’s wide-ranging address, Delivering Truth in a Tribal World, focused on the trust we place in media outlets, including the BBC, to give us a public voice. Speaking truth is rightly expected and is a weighty moral responsibility on those receiving a Licence Fee. In many areas, however, past rules governing impartiality and objectivity have been called into question, and Roger referenced the topical Gary Lineker tweets as one such thorny conundrum. Roger reflected on new media entrants and the changing face of consuming news amongst different generations. Much of the talk concentrated on the role of impartiality in delivering political news in an increasingly polemicised landscape. It was a masterly performance.
In a lively Q&A session afterwards, Roger deftly dealt with an impressive range of issues: representation of voices and perspectives; the need for greater diversity; accusations of wokeness; Brexit and recent election coverage; and how the BBC and other reputable news organisations will ensure their survival in a rapidly changing world. Debate continued unabated over refreshments afterwards, as we reflected on a particularly thought-provoking and memorable night.
The next speaker in the series is no less illustrious in what promises to be a fascinating evening. ON, Tom Little, is to speak on 29th February 2024 at 18:30 on Criminal justice in England – how good is the system. Tom is a KC and was Crime Silk of the Year in 2021. He has prosecuted some of the country’s most high-profile cases including the murders of Jo Cox MP, Sarah Everard and Sir David Amess MP. Tickets will go on sale soon and a sell-out is again expected for a speaker of such eminence: Lecture: Criminal Justice in England – How Good is the System? – Norfolk Cambridge Society
