Description
A conversation exploring the relationship between media, narrative and geopolitical power in shaping national and international perceptions.
The discussion will examine how conflict, identity and political legitimacy are mediated through global information systems, alongside the growing influence that digital media, strategic communication and information warfare have in shaping public understanding.
Particular attention will be given to the tension between lived realities and externally constructed narratives, and to the question of who ultimately has the power to define how the world is understood.
Power Play: Video Games, Politics and the Battle for Global Influence
George E. Osborn
Shop on WaterstonesAbout the Author
George E. Osborn
George E. Osborn is a leading expert on the video game industry with over a decade and a half experience explaining games to the wider world. He has previously worked as Head of Campaigns and Communications at Ukie, the UK video games trade association, where he advised politicians, business leaders and the public on the industry and its political, economic and social impact.
George has been featured across the media, including The Guardian, Sky News, The New York Times, BBC World Service, Politico and Gamesindustry.biz. He is the creator of the Video Game Industry Memo newsletter, and founder of video game consulting business Half-Space Consulting.
About the Speaker
Dr Myriam François
Myriam François, is an English journalist, filmmaker and writer. Her work has appeared on the BBC, Channel 4 and Al Jazeera. She is the founder and CEO of production company MPWR productions, which specialises in documentary films which centre on minoritised voices.
Myriam’s award-winning, directorial debut documentary Finding Alaa (BBC/CBC 2023) won the “Special Mention” Award at Doc Fest’23 and “Best Short” at the Independent Shorts Festival. The film has been BAFTA Longlisted as “Best Short Film” 2024 and premiered at Hot Docs and the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo.
Myriam was nominated as one of only 14 “filmmakers to watch” in 2021 by One World Media.
About the Chair
Dr. Nafeez Ahmed
Dr Nafeez Ahmed is an award-winning investigative journalist, systems theorist and strategic communications executive. He is the author of Alt Reich: The Network War to Destroy the West from Within (2025), Failing States, Collapsing Systems (2017) A User’s Guide to the Crisis of Civilization: And How to Save it (2010), The London Bombings: An Independent Inquiry (2006) and several other books. He is Executive Director of the Foundation for Civilisation Renewal, and creator of the AgeofTransformation.org newsletter which tracks the world’s biggest crises. A former journalist for Guardian and VICE, he does special investigations for Byline Times. His work has been used and cited in official inquiries in the US and UK, in the House of Commons, House of Lords, US Congress.
Join Our Mailing List
By submitting this form you agree to our Privacy Policy and to receive marketing emails, including e-newsletters and event updates from Bradford Literature Festival.