Alan Rusbridger to address TCD Law Society

Alan Rusbridger, former editor-in-chief of The Guardian newspaper, will visit Dublin next Tuesday at the invitation of the Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Law Society.

The journalist, who oversaw the integration of The Guardian’s print and digital operations, retired in 2015 and now acts as the Principal of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, a constituent college of Oxford University.

Hilary Hogan, secretary of TCD Law Society, said she was “delighted to announce that Alan Rusbridger will be receiving the Praeses Elit from TCD Law Society next week”.

The university society’s highest accolade has previously been presented to the likes of Lord Neuberger, president of the UK Supreme Court, and Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

During Mr Rusbridger’s editorship, The Guardian fought a number of high-profile battles over libel and press freedom, including cases involving Neil Hamilton, Jonathan Aitken, the Police Federation,Trafigura, freedom of information and WikiLeaks.

He also took the 2013 decision to destroy hard drives containing information leaked to the paper by high-profile NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden instead of complying with UK government demands to hand over the data.

The event takes place next Tuesday 15 December at 4pm in the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB) at Trinity College Dublin.

The society’s events are limited to those with TCD Law Society membership, but it is possible to purchase membership for €3 at the door.