Search is on for journalists of the future
ATTENTION teachers! Do your pupils have what it takes to becoming budding little reporters?
Editor of the Belfast Telegraph Gail Walker and Translink Group CEO Chris Conway today announced the return of Translink Little Reporters, a journalism project for children aged 8 to 11, in association with the Belfast Telegraph.
Following the enormous success of last year’s competition, the schools project, which is designed for Key Stage 2 students, returns as part of the transport company’s annual Bus + Train Week initiative.
It aims to give young people here the chance to write news stories, work to real deadlines and broadcast the piece to a real audience.
To take part, Primary 5, 6 and 7 classes are asked to produce news reports, photographs or videos to share with Belfast Telegraph readers, telling them why public transport is so important to the people of Northern Ireland and why we should all get on board.
Entry guidelines and teachhopefully er resources can be found on https://www.belfasttelegraph. co.uk/little-reporters
Submissions will be judged by a team of experts from the Belfast Telegraph and Translink, with one lucky class being crowned Translink Little Reporters 2018 and receiving some brilliant prizes including a media toolkit for their class (iPad, microphone and tripod) in addition to a masterclass with Belfast Telegraph journalists and a school trip to a top attraction.
To top it off, their work will also be published in the Belfast Telegraph for all our readers to enjoy.
Speaking at the announcement, Mr Conway said he was looking forward to perusing the entries.
“We are delighted to announce the Translink Little Reporters competition is back for 2018,” he said.
“The standard of entries last year was superb and we can’t wait to see what young editorial talent is out there this year, and reward them for their brilliant efforts.
“Translink works closely with the media on a daily basis to keep the general public updated on key business developments and important public transport issues.
“This is why we are delighted to develop a schools programme, in partnership with Belfast Telegraph, which encourages news reporting and reading.
“2018 is also NI Year of Infrastructure, Translink Group CEO Chris Conway and Belfast Telegraph Editor Gail Walker are interviewed by budding reporters at the launch of this year’s Translink Little Reporters competition for school pupils aged 8-11
so we’d encourage schools to consider the important role public transport plays in connecting people and opportunities.”
Ms Walker added: “This is a great opportunity for the journalists of the future to get a real insight into what it’s like to report news and to create engaging and insightful content.
“They’ll get the experience of working together as a team against the clock, just like in the Belfast Telegraph newsroom, and
will bring in a few exclusives too.
“I’m looking forward to reading the end result.”
Closing date for entries is 3pm on Friday, May 11. Entries can be submitted by email to littlereporters@ belfasttelegraph.co.uk or post to Little Reporters, Belfast Telegraph, 33 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 3BG. Winners will be announced during Bus + Train Week 2018 (June 4-10).