Qian Dickinson and Carla Zuill have accepted positions to the Media Council of Bermuda.

Both are joining the Media Council’s Working Group.

Executive officer Don Burgess said it is essential to diversify the people who are part of the Working Group, that not only includes colour, but age, sex and non-traditional media.

“When the Media Council Working Group was formed 11 years ago, it was the bastion of traditional media. Time has quickly changed the media landscape since then, and it is essential that the Working Group reflect that.

“Both Qian and Carla have a wide variety of experience in both old and new mass communication forms and will provide valuable input to the Council.”

Mr Dickinson’s appointment started in April, and Ms Zuill’s began in June.

Mr Dickinson is an eChannel specialist at Clarien Bank, a radio personality on Hott 107.5 and a partner of Bermemes who is well known for his video interviews for the social media group. He has more than 15 years of web and social media experience.

Mr Dickinson said: “As an active member of various media outlets, I am happy to be a resource to help protect Bermuda’s freedom of expression and to resolve complaints against the media.”

Ms Zuill has been a journalist in Bermuda since 2002. A graduate of the Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, she initially started working as an assistant video editor in 1998, under the guidance of respected local filmmaker, the late Errol Williams.

After joining The Royal Gazette, she became its first special sections editor. She then went on to work as a public affairs officer for the Bermuda Government for several years before joining Bermuda Broadcasting News as its assistant news director.

In 2014, she founded www.todayinbermuda.com but closed the site in 2017 before launching women’s lifestyle website, www.sheHub.tv in May 2018.

She is also a social media strategist.

“It’s an honour to be asked to be a part of this committee,” Ms Zuill said. “I am committed to ensuring that journalism is carried out with professionalism and integrity in Bermuda.”

Mr Burgess added that several other people had also been approached about joining the Working Group over the past three months.