Writing for Broadcast Media – The News Story

Writing for Broadcast Media – The News Story

The first news story I wrote was a result of my press release ‘Skydiving for The Blind’. This is the story I published for a web audience. However I did also write another news story – ‘Exam’s Increase Childline Calls by 50%’
The reason I chose this subject area, is because it’s that time of year again when exams are taking place.

Exams increase Childline Calls by 50%.

Young people taking their exams hope to achieve good results to get into further education and well-paid careers. But with strong expectations from the government setting ‘impossible targets’ and competitive league tables, schools are now pressuring young people to take their G.C.S.E’s early. But is it worth the stress?

Young people already have plenty to deal with like puberty, where they’re often confused about changes they are experiencing; and with so many distressing cases of young people committing suicide due to exam stress like Tina Dziki. Schools should be supporting young people, rather than rushing them through their exams, causing them depression.

A&E wards show that one in five young people aged fifteen to nineteen attempt suicide every year, along side the growing increase in the amount of anti-depressants prescribed to adolescences. Childline have now received a 50% increase in calls relating to exam stress. Most of the callers aged between twelve and sixteen.

Childline Counsellor, Kate said:

“Childline are trying to help children realise exams aren’t the only way to succeed in life”

The government should learn from Childline, and support young people rather that fast-tracking them through their education!

Related links to this story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3758359.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk/newsid_3756000/3756615.stm
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/jun2004/dep-j25.shtml