The Oxford Media Convention happening this Wednesday promises a good line up that perhaps surprisingly is not all about Leveson. Ed Vaizey in the opening keynote will likely want to talk more about 4G, rural broadband, local TV and other items on the government’s agenda. He will be answering questions–and considering the controversy around these issues, such as questions about who is being served by rural broadband efforts for example, he can expect to be challenged. There will also be panels on both local TV and 4G that could yield lively discussions on these initiatives. Meanwhile, another panel on protecting children online will pose serious questions to ISPs, mobile operators, policy makers and parents.

But Leveson, after the events of the past year, is an unavoidable topic: There will be two panels related to the Inquiry – one on the implications of the report and response and another on what was left out, including the issue of media plurality raised by contributors to this blog.  Although she does not yet officially appear in the programme, it seems that Harriet Harman will also be making an appearance, so there should be an opportunity to pin the opposition down on their response to the Leveson Report. For anyone with interest in media regulation, the convention would be a good and early opportunity to engage in and help shape crucial debates around the future of media policy in the UK.

The Oxford Media Convention will be held on the 23rd of January. Click here to register.