The Ferret is going to the seaside for a Symposium by the Sea on Saturday 9 September – to Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife, no less.

Far from being a dry event of lectures, we've put together a programme that we hope people will find engaging and interesting where everyone can learn from each other.

Everyone is welcome - whether you're a Ferret member or not - and non-members will receive a free discounted subscription as part of their ticket price.

Agenda

11am - Introducing the Ferret Fact Service (FFS).

Had enough of fake news? Following our sold-out workshop on fact-checking in Edinburgh, you'll get a chance to find out more about the fact-checking process, our own Ferret Fact Service and the chance to work through a real life fact check exercise. (To get the most out of this session, please bring a laptop or tablet.)

Lunch

A buffet lunch will be provided for all everyone.

The Big Debate: Transparency and Freedom of Information in Scotland

1.30pm

Transparency and freedom of information laws are criticial to the functioning of our democracy. We've put together a panel of eminent speakers with special interests in this field to explore where we're at now and what we could do to help push for more transparency in Scotland.

Moi Ali – writer, trainer, communications consultant and former board member, Scottish Police Authority

Lucy Hunter Blackburn – researcher

Gavin Sheridan – righttoknow.ie and CEO/co-founder vizlegal.com

Andy Wightman – MSP Scottish Green Party

Sarah Hutchison - Head of Policy and Information, Scottish Information Commissioner

Kevin Dunion - Former Scottish Information Commissioner (speaking in personal capacity)

The annual AGM and unconference

3.30pm

The Ferret is a co-operative media project. That means we want to hear your ideas about what you want from The Ferret, and what we can do to better serve our members and supporters.

Just like last year, we'll crowd-source the agenda for the last session, and split into groups to discuss how we can take the top ideas forwards.

And at the end of it all, we'll appoint a new set of directors, who will help us steer the ship for the next year.

Food, drink and live music

Finally, it’s off to The Boathouse, a local hostelry nearby, for food, drink and live music. (free to attend, but costs of food and drink not included in ticket price.)

Getting There

We can help organise shared transport to and from the venue, although we cannot fund it. If you would like us to help organise transport for you, please fill in this form.

What's included in the ticket price?

The ticket gets you into the event, and it gets you a buffet lunch.

Sadly, we can't cover the costs of transport to the event, and we can't cover the costs of your evening meal or drinks in the Boathouse.

If you are not a member of The Ferret, your ticket price includes the cost of a 3 month discounted Ferret membership.

Ferret members are entitled to a 50% ticket discount. You should already have received a discount code by email to claim this price reduction. If you are a Ferret subscriber, but didn't get that email, get in touch and we'll send you the secret code.

Lifetime Ferret members can attend for free but please let us know you are coming.