"The corruption of the press" - No. The corruption of the press barons - Yes. Journalists are finding it an increasingly hard, dangerous and difficult job reporting on the world today. Powerful and unscrupulous corporations and multi-national companies aim to supress, silence and even jail journalists who are going about their responsible jobs. The following is an email released by the NUJ Bristol Branch:

Tony Benn: the media and the political process

The Inaugural Benn Lecture - reflecting critically on making the news
Wednesday 15th November 2006 - Arnolfini, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA - 7pm

Have you ever wondered who decides what news we read in the paper every day and see on TV every night? What influence do the owners and managers have? How stories are 'spun' and which ones don't make it into the bulletin?

The modern media is changing fast. Technological developments such as satellite, WAP and broadband mean that, rather than a handful of channels, we have hundreds of ways to get our news. Media ownership is changing too with the once local ITV stations up for auction in a global marketplace and giant transnational media corporations dominating the market.

Wednesday 15th November sees the first in a series of lectures about journalism in Bristol by some of the world's most independent-minded writers and broadcasters. They will take a step back from the job and reflect on the way the media is changing, challenging some of the difficulties modern journalists encounter in doing their job.

The inaugural lecture will be given by Ex Bristol MP Tony Benn who, after being demobbed from the RAF, began his career as a BBC radio producer in the 1940s. He entered politics and went on to become Postmaster General and Secretary of State for Industry and then Energy, cabinet posts under Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. Mr Benn recently made a one hour special for Channel Four: 'Interviewing the Interviewers', where he turned the tables on Jeremy Paxman, John Humphries, Jon Snow and BBC Political editor Nick Robinson.

Former ITN and Panorama Middle East correspondent Alan Hart will also be along to share his thoughts on coverage of the present Middle Eastern conflicts. The lecture will be followed by an audience discussion about 21st Century news-making.
The event is organised jointly by the National Union of Journalists and Arnolfini and will be chaired by freelance journalist Christina Zaba.

Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, BRISTOL BS1 4QA - Box Office, 0117 917 2300