WOMEN IN MEDIA BELFAST

Women in Media Belfast’s mission is to amplify voices, and showcase knowledge and expertise.

WIMB TIMELINE…

(You can check out the Voices section for more detail on our work)

2019 - Women in Media Belfast was devised over cocktails in the Observatory at the Grand Central Hotel in Belfast after identifying the need for a group like ours. WIMB is about women working in the media and all those appearing on the media, whatever their background. More voices. More influence.

June 2019 - WIMB, with the central messages to amplify, empower and engage, was set up as a Limited Company by Amanda Ferguson, Allison Morris and Patricia MacBride.

March 2020 - Alas, the global Covid 19 pandemic brought our plans to a screeching halt, but not forever.

February 2021 - Women in Media Belfast was finally officially launched.

March 2021 - Our first event was an online conference! A series of other covid compliant events, initiatives and competitions took place throughout the year. Our work was supported by Lagan Investments, Ulster Bank, Further Education NI, Brown O’Connor Communications, Carlin Creative, Wordmagic Ltd, Phoenix Law, Gerry White and Jawbox Gin, Schweppes, Willie Jack, the Belfast Telegraph and others.

2022 - The What Girls Want event in March at Belfast City Hall was a great success. It was Allison’s final event with WIMB. Belfast’s busiest crime correspondent took a step back from WIMB to concentrate on documentaries and other projects. We thanked Allison for all her work and wished her continued success. WIMB then held a range of other events throughout the rest of the year, including a young reporter competition, as well as continued support for Women’s Aid.

2023 - With support once again from Lagan Investments, the NUJ, U105, the Radio Academy, and a host of others, our work continued with a spotlight on equity, disability inclusion, and leading change. Our first autumn social at the MAC supported by Jawbox Gin, and McConnell’s Whisky was lots of fun and gave young women media workers a chance to share their experiences. We also teamed up with Women’s Aid, She Sells Sanctuary, and Éadach to support their inspiring festive campaign.

March 2024 - Our annual International Women’s Day event, supported by Belfast City Council’s mayor’s office, the NUJ, U105, and Jawbox, was hosted by Niamh Campbell, and gave us a wee idea…

Spring 2024 - We really missed being a trio so Amanda and Patricia asked Niamh to be the third musketeer and join our senior leadership team. Thankfully she said yes!

August 2024 - Women in Media Belfast was set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC). The senior leadership team is Amanda Ferguson, Patricia MacBride and Niamh Campbell. With each event and initiative organised we welcome new people to our team, and enjoy collaborating with like minded individuals and groups.

Today - We are busy planning our next work. Amplify, empower, engage. Get in touch with us using the contact form on the website. Please remember if you are talking about us online to use the hashtags #WIMB and #WIMBelfast

Thank you/GRMA.

Amanda, Patricia and Niamh

Check out the WIMB events page

Tickets are live now for January 6, 2025: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nollaig-na-mban-little-christmas-weemins-wee-yuletide-tickets

And please also sign up to the mailing list.

WHO WE ARE…

WIMB CIC SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Journalist Amanda Ferguson from north Belfast co-founded Women in Media Belfast in 2021.

Amanda did her NCTJ approved journalism course Belfast Metropolitan College, Millfield. She is a Belfast-based Ireland editor, and a career long NUJ member, specialising in Northern affairs, all the breaking news of the day, and politics. She also enjoys human interest stories, features, arts, business, travel and hospitality.

For nearly 15 years she has been working as a self employed writer, and broadcaster, for local, national and international media outlets, including Reuters news agency since 2015, and The Washington Post since 2018. She is often found popping up on the BBC, RTÉ, LBC, Sky, and a long list of other broadcasters, newspapers, and digital platforms.

Amanda is an in demand podcast guest, event host, and festival panellist.

She has been the recipient of a number of industry accolades, including the Martin O’Hagan Memorial Bursary, and in more recent years serves as a media awards judge.

You can find her on most social media platforms, and her website is amanda.ie

Patricia Mac Bride from Co Derry co-founded Women in Media Belfast in 2021.

Patricia started her media career at the Ballymena Guardian after graduating from the NCTJ Professional Qualification in Journalism at the College of Business Studies in Belfast.

She then moved to the USA and contributed to a number of publications, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Detroit Free Press, as well as Irish American publications.

On her return to Ireland, Patricia worked in media relations and public affairs on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

She then established her own PR company where clients included the World Rally Championship, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and Eirgrid.

She is a past recipient of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland Award for Excellence.

Patricia has been a regular contributor to media in Ireland and overseas providing analysis on political affairs, human rights and legal issues.

She wrote a weekly column for the Irish News for over two years.

Niamh Campbell from Co Tyrone joined the Women in Media Belfast Community Interest Company senior leadership team in 2024.

She currently a full-time journalist for The Belfast Telegraph, covering everything from breaking news to sports and politics, as well as writing features and hosting podcasts.

Niamh has an undergraduate degree in Linguistics & Literature from Queen’s University Belfast, but found her true calling when she studied journalism at Ulster University.

She has previously worked for BBC News and BBC Sport NI, and is particularly interested in covering mental health issues, social injustices in Northern Ireland, and stories regarding women in sport.

Check out Niamh online: https://linktr.ee/niamhcam94

WOMEN IN MEDIA BELFAST