The National Network for Children (NNC) joins the Sofia Talks Media: Youth conference. The main topics and objectives of the annual forum of the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) are common to both AEJ and NNC, which is why we are joining this year’s event as an institutional partner. Young people from our Megaphone Programme will join us.
Sofia Talks Media: Youth will focus on media and youth with grabbing presentations by speakers from Denmark, Italy, UK, Romania and Bulgaria. Discussion pannels and workshops on specific topics are also part of the agenda. The event will take place on 30 June and 1 July at the Grand Hotel Astoria. Participation is free but pre-registration is required.
Media’s propensity for doom-and-gloom stories have turned many people away from the news. An average 38 percent of people actively avoid the news, compared to 28 percent in 2018, according to the latest Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism’s annual digital news report. The situation with young people’s media consumption is even worse.
Not all is lost, however. Emerging new ways to tell stories and growing demand for quality reporting are firing up young journalists who are eager to learn the nuts and bolts of newsgathering. Inspired by the work and dedication of young people and the shift in the way young people consume news, AEJ will take a closer look at media by and for youth. Sofia Talks Media: Youth will bring a number of renowned journalists and media professionals to Sofia.
The event will tackle some of the following questions:
What do we know about young audiences? What are the best practices when we cover topics related to children and young people? How do we talk to children as sources? How do we write for teenagers? What topics do young people care about? What coverage do we offer children and teenagers? How to reach young audiences?
The conference will offer talks and panel discussions about three main themes:
- Children and the Media
- Next Generation: Journalism by and for Teenagers
- How Do We Reach Young Audiences?
We live in a time of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda, including such that uses politics and casuistry with children and young people. We are inundated by an information flow that is so voluminous that we are increasingly just passive observers, rather than people and citizens exploring and reflecting on issues. News of tragedies, conflicts and violence, often reported without respect for ethical standards, are the ones that attract the most attention. Few media adapt the news to children and youth audiences. As a result, social media natives do not follow the news but rather expect that if the news is important enough, it will find them. We believe this can change. News can be based on facts and interesting true stories and make sure that young people grow up to be active citizens with an informed stance on the public issues of the day.
Visit the conference website for more information about the speakers and the programme of the event.