On the 5th and 6th of June 2003, a two-day international conference entitled
'Communicating the war on terror' is to be held at the Royal Institution in London.

The purpose of the event is to critically examine our responses to the events of 11 September 2001 with a view to answering the question, 'Are we getting the balance right between being alert and being alarmed?'.

Speakers include:

Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman
Head of the School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London
Dr Pat Troop
Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency, former Deputy Chief Medical Officer,
London, England
Professor Onora O'Neill
Principal of Newnham College and 2002 BBC Reith Lecturer, University of Cambridge, England
Mike Granatt
Director General, Government Information and Communication Service, London, England
Richard Sambrook
Director, BBC News, London, England
Susan Scholefield
Head of UK government's Civil Contingencies Secretariat, London, England
Nick Robinson
Political Editor, ITV News, London, England
Mick Hume
Times columnist, London, England
Yosri Fouda,
London Bureau Chief, Al-Jazeera, London, England
Nik Gowing
Presenter, BBC News, London, England
Programme:
Day 1

What should governments tell the public about terror threats?
The US Department for Homeland Security has launched the Terrorist
Threat Warning System, while the UK Home Office issues advice on what to
do in the event of a terrorist assault. But are governments doing enough
to warn us of terrorist threats - or are they being complacent? Some
argue that governments give too many warnings, leading to cynicism about
the terrorist threat among the general public. What balance should
governments strike between warning us and worrying us?
   
10.00 - 10.20   Opening remarks
10.20 - 11.20  

Opening plenary - Warnings
11.20 - 11.50   Tea and coffee
11.50 - 12.50   Workshops
   

Strand A:
Chemical and biological weapons -
anthrax and ricin
     
   

Strand B:
Emergency planning - are we ready?
   
12.50 - 2.00   Lunch
2.00 - 3.00  

Afternoon plenary - Trust, rumours and public perception
3.00 - 4.00   Workshops
   

Strand C:
Chemical and biological weapons -
smallpox
     
   

Strand D:
Emergency planning - what's the plan?
   
4.00 - 4.30   Tea and coffee
4.30 - 5.30  

Closing plenary - engaging the public
7.00 - 8.30  

Evening event - alert but not alarmed
Day 2

What is the role of the media in the war on terror?
Many argue that the media is more central to everyday life than in any
other period. Governments seek to cultivate relationships with the
media, as a way of connecting with and communicating to the electorate.
In war reporting, too, there have been striking changes: in Iraq,
journalists were embedded with fighting forces for the first time ever.
In such a media-focused climate, what role should the media play in
times of war and terror? What are the media's responsibilities?
   
10.00 - 11.00   Opening plenary - media performance
11.00 - 11.30   Tea and coffee
11.30 - 12.30  

Midmorning plenary - living in fear
12.30 - 1.45   Lunch
1.45 - 2.45   Workshops
   

Strand E:
How the media works and the
impact of new technology
     
   

Strand F:
Risk communication
   
2.45 - 3.15   Tea and coffee
3.15 - 4.15  

Closing plenary - a responsible media?
4.15 - 4.30   Closing remarks

Tickets:

A one-day ticket:
Corporate rate: £100+VAT, Standard rate: £35, Ri members and concessions: £20
(includes entry to the evening event)
A two-day ticket:
Corporate rate: £150+VAT, Standard rate: £50, Ri members and concessions: £30
(includes entry to the evening event)
Evening event:
Free to day-ticket holders, Standard rate: £8, Ri members and concessions: £5

For bookings, phone the Ri events team on: 020 7409 2992 or visit www.rigb.org