TU Dublin partakes in North-South Journalism Conference in Belfast
Our School of Media students in the Discipline of Journalism and Communications were present at the sold-out North-South Journalism Conference on 7 February at The MAC Theatre, Belfast.
The conference featured BBC Northern Ireland’s multi-award-winning journalist Mark Carruthers - the lead presenter of BBC NI's political coverage, the Ulster Unionist Party’s Ben Sharkey, The Detail’s deputy editor Claire Simpson and Barry McCaffrey - a renowned investigative journalist, with the closing address given by TUD Media Lecturer and multi-award-winning journalist Tadhg Peavoy.
The conference marked a joint initiative between TU Dublin and Ulster University, with Dr Niamh Sammon of TUD and Dr Colm Murphy of UU, the lead organisers for both institutions from both sides of the border.
Following the conference, participants were offered the chance to tour Stormont and Belfast, including visiting the Murals and Peace Wall, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the city and region.
Below are a selection of testimonials from our students on their experiences at the conference:
Samuel Malasa Banda - MA Public Affairs and Political Communication: "Attending the first-ever North-South Journalism Conference was a thought-provoking experience for me.
“The event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on the media's important role in bridging historical divides and promoting democratic values.
“Hearing from seasoned journalists like the BBC's Mark Carruthers and Barry McCaffrey provided deep insights into investigative journalism and its impact on truth and accountability.
“Beyond the conference, as an international student, visiting Stormont and the Peace Wall offered a tangible understanding of Northern Ireland's complex history.
“Engaging with fellow students from across the island further highlighted the importance of dialogue in shaping the future of journalism.”
Geraldine McCabe - MA Public Affairs and Political Communication: “It was such a privilege to attend the North-South Journalism Conference 2025 in Belfast.
“I especially enjoyed the outstanding speakers, who shared brilliant and yet practical insights from their varied careers.”
Elsbeth O’Donoghue - 1st year BA Journalism: “I have gained new knowledge and understanding since attending the North-South Journalism conference. The different speakers at the conference were engaging and each had unique tips on how to be a successful and ethical journalist.
“My favourite speaker was Ben Sharkey - who gave a Unionist perspective on Northen Ireland. I was exposed to very balanced views that I had never personally encountered; he has made me question many of my internal biases since the conference.”
Andrew Canavan - 2nd Year BA Journalism: “I greatly enjoyed my experience at the conference. Not only did I leave feeling as if I had learnt many valuable tips and tricks, but upon leaving the conference, we got the opportunity to mingle with the various speakers from throughout the morning’s session.
“I took a particular interest in Mark Carruthers, as I hope to get into the television side of journalism one day, but for anyone looking to get into politics, investigative journalism, or any of the other types, there was something there for everyone to learn.
“In the afternoon, we took a bus trip to Stormont, where we got to learn all about the parliament in Northern Ireland, and got to sit in both respective chambers. Our bus tour back gave an audio guide of West Belfast and gave us the chance to snap a few pictures to bring back home.”