Climate and BLM move up news agenda for six-year-olds

NEWSROUND will expand its coverage of environmental issues and Black Lives Matter to reflect children’s concerns, the BBC has announced.

The current affairs programme, aimed at children aged between six and 12, is expanding its bulletins and moving to reach a wider audience on Youtube.

Special programmes commissioned for the new-look Newsround will feature shows focussed on the lives of black children growing up in the UK and at the issue of periods, as editors seek to provide coverage of “things that kids are passionate about”.

This coverage will be helped by a new environment correspondent recruited by Newsround in the wake of increased concern about climate change prompted by Greta Thunberg, the 17-year-old Swedish activist.

A new eight-minute CBBC bulletin every morning will cover these issues of interest to children.

Editors are also promising increased online content, and they will provide a greater reach through a new Youtube platform.

Paul Plunkett, the editor of Newsround, said: “You only have to see the protests for climate change led by Greta Thunberg to see the interest that kids have in the environment and politics. Newsround’s role is to reflect issues kids care about and reflect their lives.

“You can also see this passion in the comments section of the Newsround website where children will share their views on the topics Newsround covers.”

Newsround bulletins will air every morning on iplayer, as well as on CBBC, and reflect concerns including Black Lives Matter activity and environmentalism.

New specials will include Growing

Up Black in the UK, following three children who discuss their experiences and craft a manifesto for change. Another commission, Why Don’t we talk about Periods?, will look at the issues around period poverty and educate on menstruation.

Mr Plunkett added: “Our Newsround team are passionate about reporting age-appropriate news stories across all our platforms that speak to the lives of today’s children.

“These changes reflect the changing media habits of our audience and ensure Newsround will remain relevant for generations to come.”

‘Our Newsround team are passionate about reporting news stories that speak to the lives of today’s children’