Children’s news in Australia: content for young readers in Crinkling News

ABSTRACT

Children have traditionally been neglected in the study of news. The emergence of Crinkling News, the only national newspaper specifically produced for young Australians, drew widespread attention before it closed after 20 months of publication in 2018. With the Australian media in a state of flux, the initial success of this newspaper highlighted the importance of introducing children to media literacy. This paper explores the characteristics of the presentation of news for children through the pages of Crinkling News. Utilising news values, this study also investigates the selection of angles and how stories and information are packaged for young audiences. It will examine how traditional content is mixed with user-generated contributions. Drawing on a content analysis of 12 months of issues, the paper outlines the type of coverage and story topics used to engage children in journalism. By providing key insights into generational access to news, this paper develops further understanding into children’s media literacy and provides recommendations for future scholarship. It also highlights the importance of enabling children’s participation in news as part of the critical public sphere.

KEYWORDS:

• Journalism
• children’s newspapers
• media literacy
• children’s media
• Australia
• Crinkling News

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Peter English

Peter English is Lecturer in journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where his work focuses on journalism in traditional and social media, with an emphasis on sport.

Renee Barnes

Renee Barnes is Senior Lecturer in journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast. She is the author of Uncovering Commenting Culture: Trolls, fanboys and lurkers, and is currently exploring parents and social media use.

Jane Fynes-Clinton

Jane Fynes-Clinton is Lecturer in journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and her research examines the nexus between politics and journalism.

Leicha Stewart

Leicha Stewart’s PhD examined television news discourse in the 2013 Australian Federal Election.