Between the decline of local news, falling trust in media and mass layoffs in the industry, it can be easy to feel pessimistic about the future of journalism. But youth journalism programs, which seek to foster the next generation of journalists from a young age, offer a chance to improve the industry’s outlook.
These programs can take many forms: summer camps, school clubs or year-round courses, to name a few. They don’t just teach journalism fundamentals; they highlight the value of credible news in society and promote diversity in the profession, said Michael Lozano, program manager for CalMatters Youth Journalism Initiative.
CalMatters’ JCal program – which places California high school students in state newsrooms to receive mentorship and guidance on reporting projects – provides young people a foundation for a future career in reporting by fostering their curiosity, building confidence and teaching them how to inform their communities, many of which might lack reliable information.
“When I hear about young people’s story ideas, it’s incredibly revitalizing,” Lozano said. “I imagine because of their experiences and because of them being vocal about the environment, LGBTQ+ issues, mental health, we’re going to start seeing much more welcoming environments [in journalism].”
Here’s some advice for how to run a successful youth journalism program that inspires and imparts important journalistic skills in young people:
Develop an engaging curriculum
For a youth journalism program to succeed, it must be fun, flexible and centered around students’ interests and lived experiences. It’s important to ask students what they already know and what they want to learn.
While working as a Report for America reporter, Katie Hyson led a journalism club for middle schoolers at a trauma-informed school in Gainesville, Florida. She emphasized that prioritizing students’ interests is important for sparking curiosity in them.
“Before anything, your students need to know that you care about them as people, and that you see them as people and really value their individual strengths,” said Hyson, who is now a racial justice and social equity reporter at KPBS Public Media. “When students know that, then they are willing to invest back.”
When developing a youth journalism curriculum, start with a mission statement that gives students a clear idea of what they will gain from the experience. To inform this, create surveys and conduct interviews to identify what issues they care about and the types of stories they want to see – and those they’d rather not report on.
For instance, you might develop a mission for your program that focuses on covering underreported issues, offering training for young people from underserved communities, or encouraging civic engagement and holding institutions accountable.
Lozano recommended having students brainstorm what reporting formats they’re interested in learning about, for instance feature articles, photojournalism, podcasts or video. “Don’t just tell them that their decisions matter, actually institutionalize them [as part of the curriculum],” he said.
Prioritize basic skills
A youth journalism program should prioritize equipping students with basic reporting skills and ethical and professional journalism practices, such as how to access public data and deal with anonymous sources. Some topics to highlight include media literacy, story structure, writing fundamentals and interviewing techniques.
This foundational knowledge builds students’ confidence, Lozano said. “[Learning these basic skills] creates a whole new layer of new confidence for them, because they realize they are not just student journalists – they already are journalists because they already lead in discussions on topics important to them through their storytelling.”
Reassure students that they have what it takes to be a reporter, too. “It was really important to me that they saw themselves as journalists and knew that they could be taken seriously, and they could ask questions and they had the right to,” Hyson said.
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