BBC's Thompson to deliver keynote speech

The director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, is to deliver the keynote speech at the Society of Editors' annual conference in Glasgow in November. Thompson may well face some hostility because the BBC plans to launch "ultra local TV" speech are viewed by some regional press owners and editors as a threat. This year's conference will consider the transformation in the delivery of news. Other confirmed speakers include Alan Rusbridger of The Guardian, Roger Alton (The Observer), former Today programme editor, Kevin Marsh, media commentator Ray Snoddy and BBC newscaster Fiona Armstrong. The Spectator supremo Andrew Neil will deliver the opening lecture. (Via Society of Editors)