The BBC has called on 11 to 18-year-olds to share the original story ideas that really matter to them in a competition which will see successful entrants make their reports a reality with the broadcaster.
The BBC Young Reporter Competition, backed by leading presenters Huw Edwards, Tina Daheley and Alex Jones, will see the strongest stories broadcast across the network.
This year’s brief asks for original and interesting stories that haven’t been told before in one of the three story categories: Me and My World, Uplifting, or Coronavirus.
Young people can submit their entries online as text, video or audio content, to be developed and broadcast on platforms such as BBC Breakfast, The One Show or on BBC News Online worldwide.
Last year’s winning stories dealt with a range of issues including 13-year-old Ashleigh reporting on how she coped with her twin sister becoming her twin brother, and football referee Ryan, aged 16, who revealed the abuse he faced on the pitch during matches.
Launching this year’s competition, the BBC said their Young Reporter scheme aims to tap into what really matters to young people particularly in light of the Covid-19 crisis.
Katie Thistleton, Radio 1 Presenter, and judge for this year’s competition, said: “I am passionate about young people’s voices being heard and with life being so different for them over the past few months I’m interested to hear what they have to say”.
Katie Lloyd, the BBC’s Development Director, added the competition will “empower the winners of the competition to tell their stories, their way, whilst developing their journalism and media skills.”
The BBC Young Reporter programme works with teenagers across the UK each year to inspire young people to tell their stories on BBC platforms, advise about media careers and provide guidance on how to spot fake news.
The competition is open now and the closing date is Sunday 31 October. Judging will be split into two age groups: 11-15 and 16-18 years old. Entries can also be submitted in Welsh.
The winners of the BBC Young Reporter Competition will be announced in March 2021. To find out more about the competition and for entry, visit bbc.co.uk/youngreportercompetition.
