MEDIA RELEASE

18 February 2003

Young people in the spotlight at media forum

Young people will rub shoulders with top media guests including Michael Gawenda, Editor of the Age and Campbell Fuller, Deputy Editor of MX at a forum on media and young people tomorrow.

The forum 'In the Spotlight' will look at how news media stories are developed from the different perspectives of media professionals, young people and community workers. Do news media always report young people as angels or devils? Do journalists only focus on trouble making young people or outstanding achievers in school and sport?

Rather than just complaining about the media, Victorian young people are getting active by putting on 'In the Spotlight' to discuss these issues.

When: 10 am – 3:30 pm Wednesday 19 February
Where: St Kilda Town Hall, Corner Carlisle Street and Brighton Road, St Kilda

Hosted by the State's peak body and leading policy advocate on youth issues, the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic), this forum aims to explore the relationship between young people and the media.

Lise Della Torre YACVic Young Media Spokesperson says that the idea is to do this in a constructive and meaningful way, "It's not often that you'll get the Herald Sun, The Age, the ABC, MX and a range of other media people in the same room as a bunch of young people and youth workers. This is a great opportunity to have some positive discussion about the issues facing these groups.

"With presentations from SYN FM, Express Media, the Next Wave Festival and Streetwize this forum is also an excellent opportunity to showcase the wealth of independent media produced by young people", she said.

The forum is shaping up to be an exciting day with over 200 young people, youth workers, and media practitioners attending.

The Minister for Youth Affairs the Hon Jacinta Allan, MP and City of Port Phillip Mayor, Darren Ray will officially launch the forum.

The forum will kick off with a lively panel discussion which will be facilitated by ex ABC radio presenter Chris Keogh. Panel members include:

• Jo Curtin - Station Manager, SYN FM
• Michael Gawenda – Editor, The Age
• Campbell Fuller – Deputy Editor, MX
• Russell Gould – Youth reporter, Herald Sun
• Alison Dean – Journalist, Melbourne Times
• Andrew van Smeerdijk – Sub-editor, Ballarat Courier
• Lee Burton – Australian Children's Television Foundation
• Belinda Hawkins – Australian Story, Melbourne Press Club
• David Murray – Chief Executive Officer, Youth Substance Abuse Service
• Nicola Quin – Drugs Policy and Services, Department of Human Services

For further information contact
Alex Markham YACVic Communications Officer
on ph (03) 9612 8917 mob 0402 208 416 or email: amarkham@yacvic.org.au.