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National Youth Media Training

This national training was for youth-led movements and organisations working on campaigns to beat injustice and elevate youth voice.

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SHR

What was FYA’s National Youth Media Training?

In October 2021, FYA delivered two free media training sessions for young people who wanted to better understand how to use the media as a tool for advocacy in their communities and movements.

Both training sessions aimed to help participants engage with the media to support the causes and campaigns they cared about while strengthening their confidence in sharing their lived experiences safely and effectively.

Training One | The Essentials 

When: Thursday 21 October, 6-8pm AEST 

Co-facilitated with a young journalist, this 2-hour introductory session helped participants develop techniques to enable their youth-led organisations or movements to respond quickly and leverage media moments to drive interest and awareness of their campaigns.

Key takeaways from this session included: 

  • What is media, and why it’s a great campaigning tool
  • What makes a story newsworthy 
  • Ways to use media tools to promote your perspective
    • Writing letters to the editor and opinion pieces
    • Making and taking talkback calls 
  • Dealing with journalists from start to finish  
  • Q&A 

Training Two | A Deeper Look 

When: Saturday 23 October / 10am – 4pm AEST (short breaks & lunch break included)

This in-depth session equipped participants with vital media skills to maximise their campaigning and advocacy efforts. It covered everything from understanding the media landscape to crafting compelling stories, practicing media pitches, and developing interview skills.

Key takeaways from this session included: 

  • What is media, and why it’s a great campaigning tool
  • What makes a story newsworthy 
  • Dealing with journalists from start to finish  
    • Practicing your media pitch 
  • How to frame your issues and craft strong messages
    • Hear from a young person who has done media interviews
    • Interview practice and tips
  • Writing styles and voice
    • Design your own opinion piece (op-ed)
  • Your story and legal rights in media
  • Hear direct from a young journalist about what happens on news desks

Other outcomes

Participants from both sessions recieved:

  • Training session slides and recordings 
  • Templates for media pitches, letters to the editor, key message development, interview preparation and more
  • Connections to media contacts including journalists and producers
  • Connections to other young change-makers using media for advocacy
  • Established and ongoing relationship with FYA’s Youth Media Centre

 

Who participated?

These sessions were open to young people aged 16–25 from across Australia. Each training stream had 50 available places, with 10% of spots reserved for young people who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. FYA also sought representation from each State and Territory.

Cost

The training sessions were offered at no cost and were designed for grassroots, youth-led activists with lived experience of injustice. Participants needed access to a computer or phone, internet connection, and Zoom to participate.

Contact
If you’ve got questions about the training or want to know more about FYA’s Youth Media Centre, please get in touch with youthmediacentre@fya.org.au.