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. Social media natives do not follow the news, but rather expect that if the news is important enough, it will find them.
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, we decided to take a closer look at media by/for youth. This year, our annual conference centers on media and youth. Sofia Talks Media: Youth will bring a number of renowned journalists and media professionals to Sofia.
The conference, which includes talks and discussions, will take place on June 30 in Sofia.
We 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?