Teenagers and young adults (Gen Z: ages 14-29) are “underserved” by traditional media sources, such as newspapers, radio, and television. Many don’t trust “legacy” news, which adversely impacts their civic engagement and their investment in politics, education, and local institutions. 

Instead, young adults get the bulk of their news, information, and entertainment from video-based social media platforms—primarily Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Young users prioritize authenticity/relatability and prefer quick, visual, and short-form video content over the polish of traditional news outlets.

“Meeting Young Journalists Where They Are” is an innovative and honest strategy to collaborate with high school- and college-aged Northern Michiganders, who will produce compelling and topical local news in their rural communities through new journalism mediums that their peers access and trust.

The project pairs two local editors/journalists—Jacob Wheeler of the Glen Arbor Sun in Leelanau County and Aubrey Parker of The Betsie Current in Benzie County—with young reporters who will develop short-form, video-based stories about topics relevant to Northern Michigan youth. 

There will be monthly meetings with student groups—initially in person, later virtual—to discuss story ideas, web platforms, reporting process, and deadlines.

The young journalists’ video stories will ultimately be published during Summer/Fall 2026 on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube (Glen Arbor Sun, The Betsie Current, and individuals’ personal profiles) and could potentially air in local community theaters (The Bay, The Garden). These video-based stories could also be adapted for print.

A grant from Press Forward Northern Michigan will pay young journalists per video.

If you are interested in applying to be a part of this innovative project and/or if you would like more information sent to you about this project, fill out the form below.