‘Life after Facebook’ discussed by Stirling media expert

A former national newspaper editor – and new University of Stirling honorary professor – will outline the future of journalism in a talk tomorrow night.

Allan Rennie, Honorary Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at the University, will deliver a free lecture, entitled ‘How the niche will inherit the earth or… Is there life after Facebook?’

Professor Rennie, former editor of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, said: “We are in the middle of a digital revolution.

Honorary Professor of Journalism and Media Studies, Allan Rennie

“Trust in ‘old guard gatekeepers’ – government, newspaper and broadcasters – has been eroded; journalists have become the targets of vigilantes whipped up by populist politicians; ‘fake news’ has become Donald Trump’s war cry as he faces down criticism of his presidency.

“But it’s not just established media that are under attack.

Disruptors

“Scandals have seen Facebook and Google’s reputation shredded. They are under fire over misused data, for promoting hate speech online, and targeting users with negative and misleading advertising. ‘Meet the new boss, same as the old boss,’ Pete Townshend wrote.

“What is the future for journalism as the disruptors find themselves disrupted?”

Visit Eventbrite to register for the free event, which will be held in the University’s Logie Lecture Theatre, at 7pm on 26 March.