GenerationNation invites students to become citizen journalists by reporting on civic issues in their schools and communities. Students can share reports through social media, photos, videos, or written submissions up to 200 words. Topics can include government meetings, elections, media coverage of politics, or students' perspectives on leadership. GenerationNation will review and share submitted reports online and on social media to amplify youth voices. Tips are provided on how to cover events and news in a way that shares facts and the student perspective.

1.
YOUR TURN! BE A CITIZEN JOURNALIST
GenerationNation invites all students to report on schools, government, media,
current events and other civic activities. What, or who, do you see? What is being
discussed? What is your opinion? Make your youth voice heard!
Issues and topics important to or impacting youth
People: political leaders, candidates, civic leaders, media
Government meetings or decisions
Events and speeches; media coverage about the elections or civic issues
Your perspective about politics, government or leadership
Anything else you think is relevant and interesting!
Note: Student newspapers are also invited to share their reports or links!
SHARE YOUR REPORT
On all submissions, include your name, age or grade, and school or youth organization. If you
are part of a school newspaper, include the link. Do not worry if you are not a professional. Your
youth voice is important.
Social media
Tag @GenNation and #GenNation (@GenerationNation on Instagram)
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Flickr, etc.
Photos
Email to info@GenerationNation.org
or tag on social media (see below)
Video
Upload on YouTube, tag #GenNation and #youthvoice and
Email info@GenerationNation.org with video link
Written report/opinion (100‐200 words or less)
Send text in body of the email (not as an attachment)
Email to info@GenerationNation.org
GenerationNation will review for language, brevity and clarity and share student reports on
the web and social media. Go to www.GenerationNation.org and follow GN on social media.
www.GenerationNation.org
GenerationNation
@GenNation

2.
YOUR TURN! BE A CITIZEN JOURNALIST
Tips for Reporting
Take photos and tweet about the event
Tag your report/photos
o Twitter and Facebook @GenNation or #GenNation
o Instagram @GenerationNation or #GenNation
o If there is an event tag, use that too
Tip: in at least one tweet, note you are a student. People want to know what you think!
Local government
o #CLT is used for Charlotte. #cltcc is city council and general city government
discussion.
o CMS – use #cmsbd for school board or #cmsk12 for the district.
o Mecklenburg County – use #meckbocc.
o NC General Assembly is #ncga and NC politics is #ncpol.
o Where we can, we will RT/share your tweets with officials and news media
By the end of the day of the event, email photos and at least 3 sentence report (or link
to your article or blog) to info@GenerationNation.org
We will post reports on social media, GN website, etc.
Tips for covering a news event
Importantly, as a student, your perspective is very important – and is often missing from
news reports and discussions about civic issues.
Consider your audience. What do people want to know about what happened? What
can you tell them (or show with photos) that would be different than traditional media
outlets?
How will what has been proposed/discussed impact children and youth?
In an interview, use your phone to record and capture the quotes for later.
How did people react to what was being said? What did YOU think about what was said?
You are the media. That means you help to inform the public about government actions,
goals, and activities. The “media” includes traditional media, such as newspaper and TV
reporters, as well as bloggers and people sharing information on social media.
Facts and Opinions – both important
o Reporting facts helps people who are not at the event to learn what is
happening, who is talking, what you see, who is in the crowd, the location, etc.
o Sharing opinions helps people to learn and understand how the information
impacts different people – especially students.
www.GenerationNation.org
GenerationNation
@GenNation