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| ABOUT US >> How we do it Also: ABOUT US >> Board Of Directors Children's PressLine uses an oral journalism process created by its predecessor, Children's Express. By relying on the spoken word rather than the written word, this methodology facilitates the participation of children of all ages and literacy levels. CPL enables kids to be trained quickly and easily, empowering them with their work and in the media. All stories start with an idea. Reporters, editors, staff, parents and readers submit an idea on a CPL RAP sheet. The idea should be Current, have a Point, give kids Leverage with decision makers, be Relevant, have Appeal and be a topic CPL journalists are Passionate about. Kids research the idea through online and primary sources. With the help of staff and volunteers, the journalists identify key individuals or groups to interview. Next, potential interviewees are contacted and interviews are scheduled. The story is placed on the monthly newsletter and journalists call to sign up for the story or they come in to the monthly bureau meeting. The news team, made up of two or three reporters (ages 8 to 13) and one or two editors (ages 14 to 18), meets at the office to brief for the story. This is when the team, led by the editors, read through background material, discuss their own experiences with the topic and write at least 20 questions. The questions are based on journalism's "5W and an H" but also delve into personal experiences and how the issue at hand affects kids of all backgrounds. The next time the team comes together is for the interview. Some interviews are in-person at either CPL's Manhattan office or at the interviewee's home or meeting space. Others take place over the phone. All are recorded using minidisc or tape recorders. During the interviews the young reporters ask questions and gather the necessary information. The editors' main job is handling the recording equipment, taking notes and guiding the reporters during the interview. The final step for the news team is the debriefing- the most important part of the process. During the debriefings, which are recorded, the reporters and editors discuss the interview and provide their opinions and experiences on the topic. For print stories, the team discusses what the interviewee said and then verbally builds the story. For Loud & Clear's fact/VOICE pieces, the reporters transcribe and edit the interview, finding the most powerful and revealing statements for the 'VOICE' portion that will illuminate the statistical 'fact.' |
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GIVING KIDS A VOICE AND THE POWER
TO USE IT
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© 2003 Children's PressLine. All Rights Reserved.