Youths hijack The Herald for a day to give their side of the story

WITH many a meeting, countless drafts and an army full of eager aspiring journalists, The Herald and a group of Port Elizabeth youths got together to work on a one-of-a-kind collaboration.

Under the guidance of the current editors and staff of the newspaper, the university students received the opportunity to take the reins of The Herald for a day and produce the first youth-created edition of the paper in celebration of Youth Day, June 16.

The idea was born after Heather Robertson, editor of The Herald, attended an event celebrating World Press Freedom Day earlier this year.

At the event, which was organised by a group of third-year Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) media and journalism students, Robertson gave a talk on the importance of press freedom, leaving students feeling inspired, motivated and eager to work in the field.

It seems she was equally inspired by the students’ sheer enthusiasm as she then approached them with the idea of a youth edition of the paper.

“It’s been great fun for me, because a lot of the arguments and debates that we have every single day, [the students] were having and it was fantastic to see,” Robertson said.

Devon Koen, resident journalist and ex-lecturer at NMMU, mirrored Robertson’s positivity regarding the experience. “I think it’s been beneficial for the stu- dents to see what it is like to be in the industry,” he said. “They have had first-hand experience, and it’s been an eye-opener for The Herald to see how the students interact with media.”

The collaboration was not only about providing experience, but also acted as a window for older generations to get a taste of what today’s youth are all about.

Traci Mackie, newsroom coach at The Herald, said: “It is very important for people in news today, especially older people, to understand what the youth want to read and one way of assessing that is giving the youth the opportunity.”

And it seems the students grasped the opportunity with both hands. Tayla-Ann Rodger, who worked as a designer, reporter and online contributor for the youth edition, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“I really appreciate The Herald welcoming us with open arms and helping us to learn a lot,” she said. “All of the senior journalists have been very patient and helpful. I have learnt a lot in the little time I have been here.”

Robertson said she looked forward to making the youth edition an annual tradition. “I would love . . . to pull Rhodes in and other schools and universities.”