The Media Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to understand the role of media in a democracy. Students engage in the many facets of a modern media – print, video, digital, and social.
Participants in the Media Program are given an opportunity to view the political arena from the eyes of a neutral observer and gain knowledge and experience in journalism as it relates to government. They have opportunities to work in a team setting with other dedicated, highly motivated individuals. Students have a chance to put their creative skills to practical use in writing, photography, videography, graphics, editing, and much more. While stories are reviewed by the Media Director and Program Coordinator, the student staff determines the content and style of the various media forms.
The Media Program has several goals:
- Teach students that teamwork and staff coordination are vital ingredients of successful journalism.
- Teach the importance of separating issues from personalities.
- Emphasize the importance of written communication skills.
- Offer an opportunity to learn how to work in a safe situation under the stress of deadlines.
- Provide other YAG participants with accurate, reliable, and useful information, by publicizing all aspects and program areas of the State Conference.
Media Program Preparation
The Media Program demands individual initiative and responsibility. Members work as part of a media staff. Students will be individually assigned to performs tasks, and also placed in small groups to perform others. These tasks may include editing stories, developing ideas for articles and covering them, creating headlines and designing layouts, providing photographic and video coverage, editing video content, creating digital content for online use, and much more.
Media Program Pre-Conference Required Submission
All Media Program participants must submit a pre-conference assignment to the State Office by 11:59 p.m. on October 30. Each student must have their own media submission.
- Media Submission | Due October 30
General Instructions:
- Create one original media piece showing how your delegation is preparing for conference
- Choose one format from the options below
- Get permission from anyone you photograph, film, or quote
- Due Friday, October 30th by 11:59pm
The assignment:
Your beat is your own delegation. Tell the story of the people, the work, and the energy that go into getting ready for the State Conferences. Ideas include delegates drafting or debating bills, court teams prepping cases, officer candidates working on speeches, or first-time delegates learning the ropes.
Format options and examples:
- Photo collage (5-6 photos with captions)
- Short video (30 seconds max)
- Written story (300 to 350 words)
Examples of awesome submissions:
- Photo Collage: Candid shots from a bill drafting session, each captioned with what is happening in the file names
- Video: A montage of practice sessions ending with delegates finishing the sentence “I’m most excited for conference because…”
- Written story: A feature on a first-year delegate writing and defending their first bill
Guidelines:
- All content must be your own original work
- Be accurate and fair, and spell names correctly
- Follow the Youth and Government code of conduct
Media Eligibility
Participants are chosen from those who register by the following guidelines:
- Participants must complete the Student Registration Form on the YAG website by the stated deadline to participate at the State Conference.
- Participants are responsible for staying informed of local, regional, and statewide YAG activities. It is also recommended that they develop contacts with local news media and inform them of their local YAG delegation.
- Media members must meet all deadlines set by the State Office.
- Media members submit a required project by the stated deadline.
- The number of participants in the Media is limited to 40 students.
