Today, we went to a youth magazine (LIVE EAST) and we were all given different tasks. Some people went out to interview people on the street, some when to photograph street fashion, some compared music taste with students from the UK and the rest wrote opinion articles on topics they were interested in. Later, we went to BBC to meet with a journalist and ask him any questions we liked.
In this episode, the team visit two very different media organisations: East End Youth magazine Live East and the internationally renowned BBC.
Find out what happens when they work together to find ways to give young people a voice. At Live East Magazine, the team work together on a T-shirt design and a feature on fashion with a purpose.
The next stop is the BBC, where the team question journalists about how they report on issues such as the Middle East and the so called ‘War on Terror’. Is the media part of the problem or part of the solution? What do you think?
Watch this episode to find out why we need to listen to our young people.
“Overall, my experience with the Offscreen students has been amazing. I feel that these kids have very unique and special talents that can be beneficial to greater society.
“Through my time with these kids, I learned that the stereotypes of the Middle East propagated in America are incorrect. The idea is that most Middle Easterners are hostile or are often associated with terrorist organizations. These ideas are based on fear and ignorance. The truth is, is that these people are human beings. They think the same and are educated in much the same manner. After speaking with one of the students, I learned that they have similar concepts of Westerners. They are afraid of us as well.
“Offscreen is very beneficial in this manner. It breaks the divides, lets people move past their common fear, and helps both sides promote peace and understanding. In the days travelling with the group, I also learned a few things about London and got a unique look at the city I had called home for two months. Most of our time was spent in the East side. This area was much more diverse than Central London where I live. I didn’t realize how many Halal (kosher for Muslims) restaurants and stores there were in London.
“For me, the most interesting thing I participated in was the news debates at Tower Hamlets between the kids. I got to hear their opinions on current events, events within their community, and comparisons between Tower Hamlet students and the international students of Offscreen. I don’t really feel that American children—especially in the age group of the Offscreen kids—know about the outside world or even about issues in their own community.”
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