Teen journos observe World Press Freedom day at Parliament

Young journalism graduates from around the country were honoured at Parliament yesterday by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Tariana Turia, and media-watcher, Russell Brown.

The young writers, ages 14 to 18, have spent the last year teamed up with professional journalists, writing about issues such as human rights, HIV and Fair Trade. Yesterday they graduated from Just Write, a year long journalism course for young writers interested in global issues.

“It is entirely appropriate that tonight, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day, we are gathered to honour ten young people who represent the freshness and flair that comes with true freedom of expression,” Tariana Turia said.

“I want to thank Global Focus Aotearoa for providing the stimulus and the support necessary to turn dreams into action; to transform visions of what may be into strategies for change”.

“Often young voices are absent from mainstream media, but the Just Write programme, run by Save the Children and Global Focus Aotearoa, gives young people a way to be heard on major global issues,” Just Write coordinator Jennie O’Donovan said.

“World Press Freedom Day is a chance to acknowledge the democratic value of youth voices in the media, especially as young people have limited ways to be heard through other means,” Ms O’Donovan said.

ENDS

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