The road to a sustainable future for great journalism begins in Scotland

80 budding young journalists of the future joined Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond, Scottish Sun Editor Gordon Smart and a host of other senior staff from News UK’s world-renowned titles in Glasgow for the first ever News Academy conference.

News UK, publisher of The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times launched the News Academy in January 2014. It is an innovative programme aimed at 16-18 year olds interested in a career in journalism and news. The aim is to find and invest in the next generation of journalistic talent.

Today’s conference, opened by Alex Salmond, was held at The Scottish Sun’s Glasgow office and attended by students from nine Scottish schools and colleges: Dunblane High School; St Columba's School; Lourdes Secondary School; John Paul Academy School; Knightswood Secondary School; Springburn Academy; Wellington School; Bellahouston Academy and City of Glasgow College.

Students participated in three lively panel discussions and Q&A sessions with experienced journalists. For the first debate, ‘Reporting the Referendum’, Alex Salmond was joined by Andy Nicoll, Scottish Sun Political Editor and Jason Allardyce, Sunday Times Scottish Editor.

The unique conference also saw the launch of the News Academy Scottish Independence competition, in which students around the UK are invited to submit an article on the question of independence, through the News Academy website, and the best submissions will be selected by News UK journalists.

The other sessions looked at the responsibilities of a free press and the crucial role of professional journalism in today’s society.

Students also attended workshops covering topics such as roles and responsibilities of editors, news desks, opinion writers and the production teams. Time was also given for networking and informal discussions between students and the News UK journalists lending their time and expertise to the conference.

Scottish Sun Editor, Gordon Smart, said: “The pace of change for newspapers in the digital era is a challenge for the whole industry. However, what is certain is that news, comment, information and entertainment will remain the core offer to our readers.

“It’s vital then that we start developing the next generation of world-class journalists who will deliver a sustainable future for news and I’m proud we are hosting the News Academy’s first major conference in Scotland today.”

First Minister, Alex Salmond, said: “There couldn’t be a more exciting time to be a journalist, and there couldn’t be a more important time to encourage young people to consider a career in journalism.

“Regardless of technology and platform, the public’s need for journalism – for information and analysis is as great as ever. I’m delighted to support this News Academy initiative from News UK. I hope that some of the young people involved will go on to become journalists and I wish them all the best for the future - whichever career they decide.”

City of Glasgow College journalism student, Andrew Duffy, 21, said: "The opportunity to question the First Minister doesn't come along very often. This conference is a great opportunity for an exchange of ideas and opinions. It's a massive opportunity. Journalism is one of the most important things you can do with the written word."

Francesca Woulfe, 17, Head Girl at Glasgow's Lourdes Secondary School, said: "This is a good opportunity to get involved and see how journalism works. It's not what you think it is."

Beginning with this first conference in Glasgow, the News Academy aims to engage students in at least 350 schools across the UK and attract them to become the world-class journalists of tomorrow. Four more conferences will be held throughout 2014 in Manchester, London, Cardiff and Dublin.

In addition to the major programme of conferences, workshops and masterclasses there will be an annual summer school run by journalists from all of News UK's titles who will impart their unique skills, knowledge and experience.