A Ditchley conference in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation
Around half the world’s population has gone or will go to the polls this year. Elections have already taken place in the UK, India, France, the EU, South Africa, and Mexico, among others, with the US presidential elections looming on the horizon. Elsewhere, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to rage. Against this backdrop, trustworthy reporting and access to accurate information is perhaps more essential than ever. And yet, the news media finds itself increasingly under siege from all sides, including audience apathy, unsustainable business models, technological challenges, assaults on press freedom, and the threat of dis- and misinformation.
Building on the discussions of the last two years, the conference will explore what this mega-election year tells us about how local, national and international media interact. With a bumper year of elections behind us, we will be able to ask how journalism has held up around the world. What are the issues – both expected and unexpected – that have emerged? And what have we learned to help us move forward?
Terms of Reference for the discussion can be found in the links below together with a draft programme and travel guidance.
Terms of Reference
Programme
Travel Guidance
Ditchley Rule:
Participants are reminded of the confidential basis on which Ditchley conferences are held. All those participating do so in their personal capacities, not as spokespeople for any country or institution. The discussions are subject to the ‘Ditchley Rule’: all contributions are unattributable and interventions are made in strict confidence; this also applies to conversations outside the formal sessions. Those present are, however, free to draw on the substance of what has been said, but not under any circumstances to disclose who it was that said it. The Rule will be scrupulously observed in any post-conference reports.
Attire:
Ditchley conferences are informal (business casual) throughout, except for dinner on the second evening. It is a Ditchley tradition that dress for the formal dinner on the second evening is Black Tie. However, this is not at all a requirement - please be assured that you will feel entirely comfortable in a business suit or another form of evening attire, whether modern or traditional. It is worth noting that, although Sir David Wills, the founder of the Ditchley Foundation, instigated the tradition of Black Tie dinners, he never wore Black Tie himself. He wanted to ensure that no one would feel uncomfortable if they had not come with formal clothes. That captures the Ditchley spirit.