News

17 May 2018

BBC’s Emily Maitlis at John Lyon for conversation about the changing face of news and the media

The role of news, changing face of journalism, fake news and Donald Trump were all on the agenda in a wide-ranging discussion with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis at John Lyon.

The leading journalist and documentary maker, who is best known for her work with BBC News and BBC Newsnight, came to School on Thursday 17th May to speak to a packed room of engrossed Year 10 pupils.

The session, compered by Year 10 pupil Koen, began with Ms Maitlis talking about the details of her role as a journalist in a rapidly changing news environment, before asking boys their thoughts on what constituted news in today’s world.

In a back-and-forth session in the School’s Music Hall, the conversation hit on many different aspects of today’s media, including how interviews with leading figures sometimes take months to arrange, the phenomena of fake news, the concept of confirmation bias, interviewing Donald Trump, how young people don’t use Facebook, and the two Kims – Jong Un and Kardashian.

Ms Maitlis also touched on her route into journalism and her interviews with a host of leading figures, including Mark Zuckerberg, James Comey and the Prime Minister.

After the 45-minute session, she then took time to speak directly to pupils who had a host of further questions.


Emily Maitlis was speaking as part of John Lyon’s Excellence Programme, created in 2017 to provide added opportunities for pupils who wish to aim high in different areas of School life.

The School’s Excellence Programme provides activities to enrich and challenge all pupils. This may involve trips to cultural events or mind-stimulating lectures as well as in-house workshops and discussion groups. Older students are encouraged to run workshops for younger pupils and act as leaders on trips.

BBC's Emily Maitlis at John Lyon - John Lyon Excellence logo