BBC World news presenter Samantha Simmonds will chair the London Press Club debate on a subject that has everyone talking.
A panel of senior figures from politics, journalism and digital communications will debate: Is AI the saviour or assassin for journalism and democracy?
It will take place at Stationers’ Hall near St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 24 February from 6.45pm. The debate and a Q&A session with the audience will be followed by a wine and sandwiches reception. Tickets cost £20 (including VAT). To book, CLICK HERE.
The panel will include:
- Nusrat Ghani, the senior deputy speaker of the House of Commons and MP for Sussex Weald;
- Chris Blackhurst, former editor of the Independent, City Editor of the Evening Standard for 10 years and now a high profile columnist and media commentator
- Emma Loffhagen was feature and culture writer at the Evening Standard for four years, and has been appointed commissioning editor on the culture and lifestyle desks at the Guardian Saturday magazine.
- Anne-Marie Tomchak, Digital Editorial Director, Daily Mirror, with particular responsibilities for Artificial Intelligence; also of Cambridge University Women In Sustainability Innovation
- Rupert Knowles, director of NXT Media who is on the Court of Stationers and a strong supporter of AI as a positive way forward in communications
Chairing the debate will be Samantha Simmonds, a senior BBC news journalist who presents BBC Politics London and BBC news and business programmes. As a journalist and broadcaster she has been at the forefront of the news for more than 20 years at the BBC and at Sky News. Samantha covers all of the breaking international and national news of the day interviewing senior political and business leaders from all over the world.
The annual debate held by the London Press Club in association with the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers focuses on an important current media issue.
This year’s debate will cover the most talked about issue for decades: the positives and the risks to democracy and journalism from AI and social media.You can’t afford to miss it!
Panel Biographies
Left to right: Nusrat Ghani MP, Chris Blackhurst, Emma Loffhagen, Anne-Marie Tomchak and Rupert Knowles
Nusrat Ghani is the Member of Parliament for Sussex Weald since 2024, having represented the predecessor constituency Wealden from 2015 to 2024.In July 2024 she was elected as Chairman of Ways and Means, Principle Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. As Madam Deputy Speaker she supports Mr Speaker and is in the Chair of the House overseeing debates daily in the House of Commons. The Deputy Speaker position is an election open to all MPs and Nusrat is the first person of colour and the second female to secure the confidence of MPs to preside as Madam Deputy Speaker.
Chris Blackhurst is an award-winning journalist and media advisor. He is a columnist for The Independent and The National and writes regularly for The Standard. He is a former editor of The Independent and for ten years was City editor of the Evening Standard. Before that he worked for The Sunday Times, on its business pages and Insight investigations team. He covered Westminster for several years for The Independent. His writing has appeared in many of the world’s major publications. He is an experienced TV and radio broadcaster, and author of two books, Too Big To Jail and The World’s Biggest Cash Machine.
Emma Loffhagen was feature and culture writer at the Evening Standard for four years, and has been appointed commissioning editor on the culture and lifestyle desks at the Guardian Saturday magazine. She edits the popular Experience column, lifestyle’s You Be the Judge, contributes to commissioning across the magazine and edits the newsletter fortnightly. At the Evening Standard, Emma began as an apprentice, where she covered a range of topics including social issues,lifestyle, pop culture, travel and politics. She also had a fortnightly column at the paper, and reported for the paper from across the world, including refugee camps in Iraqi Kurdistan and Lesvos.
Anne-Marie Tomchak is a digital executive with almost 20 years experience working at the top of news, technology and fashion media.Currently the Digital Editorial Director for the Daily Mirror ,Anne-Marie has led high performing teams at British Vogue and Mashable and has a track record of editorial innovation and growth.
Rupert Knowles brings over 30 years of technology transformation experience, with deep expertise in helping media organisations navigate digital disruption. For the past 15 years, he has advised leading publishers and media companies across the UK and Europe through seismic shifts in the industry – from digital publishing to the impact of social media. As CEO of NXT Media Consulting, he works with media enterprises to develop strategies for an AI-enabled future. Rupert is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, and is a member of the Stationers Court.
