MP joins the fight against fake news

EAST Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury is encouraging A-level students to take part in a video campaign highlighting the issue of ‘fake news’.

The Political Studies Association (PSA)’s Schools’ Video Competition, sponsored by YouGov, is now in its seventh year and is open to post-16 students who will be studying during the 2017-18 academic year.

A spokesman for Mr Amesbury said the PSA has been working since 1950 to develop and promote the study of politics and it leading association in its field with an international membership of more than 1,900 teachers, politics professors, lecturers and researchers.

This year’s competition has asked students to explore whether fake news ‘is the end of facts’.

Groups of students have been invited to submit short videos on the subject, examining what fake news is, what effect it could be having on the political landscape and what it means for expert opin- ion and ‘factual’ knowledge.

Shortlisted groups will be invited to Speaker’s House in the Palace Of Westminster to discuss the ideas raised in their video with a panel of politicians, journalists and academics.

The winners of the competition will receive their award at the PSA’s annual awards ceremony in Westminster.

This year’s ceremony takes place on December 5 in London. On top of this, the winning students get a week’s work experience with the YouGov political team during their school holidays.

Mr Amesbury, whose Weaver Vale constituency straddles much of east Runcorn, Frodsham, Helsby, Daresbury and Northwich, said: “The concept of fake news is in the public eye now more than ever, and seeing the take that our young people have on the subject will be fascinating. We cannot undervalue the importance of engaging young people in politics.

“I’d encourage all local A-level students to take part in this competition and submit their ideas and videos.”

For competition details visit www.psa. ac.uk