“It’s so nice to put a face to the name!”

This is just something we say to fill space, especially in the dreaded sport of ‘networking’.

It’s a stock phrase we employ to skim over the startling awkwardness of meeting someone whose email signature you have memorised, but whose voice you’ve never heard.

Or so I thought until this week.

On Thursday night, I was privileged enough to take part in a panel discussion about the importance of local journalism right here at The Courier’s Dundee headquarters.

Around 100 people attended, from notable local figures to business owners, media workers from other organisations and, most importantly, you – our readers.

As a writer, I’m much more comfortable tippy-tapping away on my laptop than speaking in front of crowds (go figure). So getting up in front of that audience was no small thing.

But despite being in a state of nauseating nervousness all day leading up to it, I had a brilliant time.

Partly, this was because of the thoughtful questions put forward by our discussion host and my fellow

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