Insight

Starting in October 2009 a group of young aspiring journalists began meeting and planning for their very own young people’s section of the Courier. The group decided that the aim of their pages would be to address the negative stereotypes of young people in society and dispel their negative media portrayal. They also aim to involve young people in their local media and encourage newspapers to consider their views and opinions.

The young journalists are keen to highlight and promote the positive activities that young people are engaged in to the wider community and hope to inform other young people about what is going on for them locally.

After some receiving professional journalism training, the group began by researching and discussing the great many issues that young people are faced with and that are important to them in the modern world. As reporters, they went out and spoke to other young people in order to get their views on such issues and then wrote articles accordingly. As editors, the group edited each others articles so that they would highlight the issues concisely. As sub editors, the group agreed on headlines and designed the layout of their pages.

By undertaking this project the participants have gained invaluable real world journalism experience and learnt about the satisfaction and difficulties involved. Following on from the project many of the participants are keen to go on to further journalism training at college and university and hopefully on to be fully fledged, paid up journalists!

Have a look at what the young journalists have written:

Nuneaton Tribune page

Nuneaton and Bedworth In Touch

Leamington Courier page1 and page2

There are two things that the young journalists ask from readers; to respond to the articles offered here with your thoughts or opinions, and for those aged 13 to 19 years, to get involved in writing future articles. Please email youthvoice@wayc.org.uk.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say – get in touch!

We would like to thanks those that have made this fantastic project possible - and so successful!