Young people urged to seize the news agenda

A new campaign launched today (November 11, 2008) urges young people to take ownership of the media, and make their opinions heard, by using comment opportunities and new technology.

Launched on Fleet Street by former BBC broadcaster Martyn Lewis and young campaigners from the Respect? campaign group, it also aims to get 1,000 young people to pledge to take action into their own hands. 

Supported by online charity YouthNet and the British Youth Council, Respect? has teamed up with young people's website TheSite.org to provide tips and advice on how to make a splash in the media (www.TheSite.org/respect).

Martyn Lewis, YouthNet Chairman and Founder commented: "Young people get a bad press, but many have intelligent opinions about news and what's happening in the world.

"Too often their voices aren't heard - which is why we're encouraging them to use new technology to comment and help balance news coverage about issues relating to or affecting young people."

The three year Respect? campaign is a result of research conducted in 2006 by YouthNet, which found 98% of young people feel the media 'always, often or sometimes represents them as anti-social'.

Sophie Manning, Respect? Young People's Advisory Group member, said: "Young people want to play a positive role in the media, but we need to realise that getting our views heard means accepting a two-way relationship with older generations. We have to put the effort in to be noticed, and then people will see thoughtful and responsible young people as the norm, not the exception."

The online pledge, which reads, "I pledge to make my voice heard and help young people's views to get noticed. When I have an opinion on a news story, I will voice it in the media by commenting online, writing to editors of papers or magazines, or calling in to TV or radio programmes. It's our news too." can be accessed at www.TheSite.org/respect along with articles and advice on how to make your voice heard in the media.

Ends

Media enquiries:

For further media information – or to arrange interviews – please contact Sarah Wilson or Gabriella Jówiak at YouthNet on 020 7250 5716 or out-of-hours on 07766 660 755.  Email media@youthnet.org

Notes to Editors

1. YouthNet is an online charity - founded by broadcaster Martyn Lewis in 1995 – which aims to engage, inform and inspire young people. YouthNet does this through two award winning websites: www.TheSite.org  - the guide to life for 16 to 24-year-olds and www.do-it.org.uk, the UK's volunteering resource. 
2. The British Youth Council (BYC) is the national youth council for young people under the age of 26 in the UK. BYC brings young people together to agree on issues of common concern and encourages them to bring about change through collective action. BYC aims to: provide a voice for young people; promote equality for young people; help young people be more involved in decisions that affect their lives and advance young people's participation in society and civic life.
3. The Respect? Campaign was created in 2005 in response to research, commissioned by YouthNet and BYC, which showed that young people were increasingly concerned about their negative portrayal in both the media and politics. A summary of the resulting report The Voice behind the hood: young people's views on anti-social behaviour, the media and older people, was published in July 2006. A copy of the full Respect? Campaign report can be downloaded via www.youthnet.org or www.byc.org.uk
4. The Respect? research found that 98% of young people feel the media always, often or sometimes represents them as anti-social.