Durham University supports Harry Evans investigative journalism summit

By Hugh Ludford

In partnership with Sir Harry’s widow Tina Brown CBE and her family, as well as the news agency Reuters, Durham University has again supported a journalism summit to remember alumnus Sir Harry Evans. The partnership saw many titans of the media world speaking on the challenges of modern journalism.

The annual Truth Tellers: the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Summit was held in London on the 6th of May and saw the biggest names in journalism from around the world attend and give talks.

The Summit saw talks from Emma Tucker, James Harding, Katharine Viner and Emily Maitlis, among many others, and championed investigative journalism at all levels, from the hyperlocal to the geopolitical.

Durham’s Vice-Chancellor, Karen O’Brien, spoke at the event and drew parallels between Sir Harry’s legacy and the role of universities.

“Academia and journalism are both critical to the pursuit and defence of truth – as truth keepers and truth tellers. 

“At Durham University, we celebrate the achievements our great alumnus Sir Harry Evans, and take pride in nurturing the best investigative journalists of today and tomorrow. This year’s Truth Tellers Summit is much needed, timely, and we look forward to contributing to stimulating and challenging debate.”

Durham also supports the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Fund, which established the Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship. The Fellow is supported in their investigative project by Durham and Reuters.

The event also received a papal message. Pope Francis, upon hearing about the Summit, wrote to emphasise that “we do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices fo the weak who have no voice”.

Sir Harry Evans was an undergraduate at Castle college, and served as Editor of Palatinate in 1951. He went on to become the greatest newspaper editor of all time (as voted in a media poll in 2002), editing the Northern Echo (1961 – 1966) and then The Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981.

During this time he drove the introduction of Pap smear tests and cervical cancer screening (at the Northern Echo), secured compensation for the victims of thalidomide and unearthed an intelligence cover-up around Soviet spy Kim Philby (both at The Sunday Times).

Sir Harry received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Durham University in 1998, thanks to his contributions to journalism. He remained an active alumnus of the University until his passing in 2020, and his legacy is still felt by students today.

Image credit, Isla Mustin, Palatinate