Sandra Della Giustina, founder MI* Network, Argentina, and coordinator, WAN-IFRA World Young Reader Network presents a low-budget approach to reaching younger readers.
Usually in critical times newspapers first decision is to cut back on youth programs, but thanks to social networks we now have cheaper options to reach out to young readers. The MI* Network was built on a free platform offered by facebook.com, but once more people became involved with the network, they were able to become more advanced.
Eventually, MI* was able to promote citizen journalism and work towards their goal of connecting newspapers to young people. Now they offer the world young readers network (http://www.worldyoungreadernetwork.org). Giustina explains, "You have access to the whole world without spending any money."
MI* has also developed citizen journalist workshops that are designed to teach the difference between citizen and professional journalsm, and also teach how to cite sources.
As for the future, they hope to deveolop it more in English and are encouraging other newspapers to do it.
For more information on how your newspaper can join the World Young Readers Network you can go to http://www.wan-press.org/article.php3?id_article=565
