Normalise diversity
Youngsters from a migration background represent a large part of society, especially in cities. It’s no more than normal that they have opinions about subjects like pollution, education and healthcare. And yet they are hardly asked about these topics in the news.
Expand your network
Only 3% of people mentioned in newspapers when it comes to domestic news have a migration background - while our society consists of 20% people from a migration background. If journalists expand their network, they can represent and address a larger part of the population.
Talk to youngsters, not about youngsters
News media often have the reflex of talking about people rather than to them. The same is true for youngsters from a migration background. But youngsters need role models who inspire and motivate them, which is why it’s extra important that they get a voice in the news.
Integrate nuance and balance into every news item
Youngsters mainly consult the news online, for example through social media. Unlike in a newspaper or in a tv bulletin, the news online is often presented alone, devoid of context. Online news should also contain enough context and nuance, to make sure youngsters feel like their side of the story is being told.
Provide free contextual articles
Youngsters like their news short and to the point, but they also want to understand the context of a news item. However, contextual pieces are rarely free, and youngsters from a migration background are largely unwilling or unable to pay for them. They would like to have free access to succinct news, but with extra context.
Keep it short, visual and clear
Youngsters have little interest in the news, especially not in expansive, complicated items. To keep youngsters’ attention, the news should be short and visual. Ideally also without difficult vocabulary for those who don’t have Dutch as their first language.
Don’t point the finger
Youngsters often find it irrelevant to mention someone’s origin when they are in the news. They feel like this mostly happens when it’s negative news, which only leads to further polarisation.
Offer solutions
It’s important to expose issues in the news, but also to offer solutions. Youngsters feel like there is an imbalance of negative versus positive news, and they want to see and read more hopeful news.
