.png)
After its cancellation in 2020, the 23rd Sydney Writers' Festival was a joyous return, attracting large and delighted audiences to its Carriageworks home. Press Freedom, one of the sold-out panel events, explored the changing environment journalists and the media must face today.
"The press is the voice of the vulnerable, and sometimes they're the only voice for the vulnerable. If we deny them the freedom to operate within their own mechanisms, we end up denying freedom and justice to the vulnerable," said Ishmamul Haque, a question participant for the Press Freedom Panel.
"You could never ever have a better job or more privileged positions than being a journalist. It is seriously the best thing you could ever do, it's tough, and it's demanding, but where can you have a job that you can actually change society for the better?" said Kate McClymont, Award-winning investigative journalist at the Sydney Morning Herald.
More than 65,000 people engaged with the program, embracing 231 live events featuring more than 400 Australian-based speakers. The Live & Local program further extended the Festival's reach, streaming Carriageworks marquee talks to 68 libraries and community centres across Australia.
"The 2021 Festival marked the fourth-highest paid attendance in the history of the Festival and brought in ticket revenue of more than $1.2 million," said Brooke Webb, Acting CEO of Sydney Writers' Festival.
More than 8,800 free tickets were issued across the Festival's 36 free events, maintaining the Festival's ongoing commitment to have 25% of the program accessible to all.
It’s back. The Sydney Writer’s Festival returned with a jam-packed program for all to enjoy. It tackled some social issues whilst bringing writers and journalists together.
Tileah Dobson reports.
Comments