The platform Update (My news of the day) of Radio-Canada has just put online a new series of videos on the world of information. Six capsules to allow students of 5e and 6e years of better understanding the world. Six capsules to understand the importance of going to see what is happening behind the TV camera, the microphone of a radio or the hidden face of an algorithm if we want to change this world.
“Getting informed is super important. You can do it for yourself. We can do this to better understand the world around us. And to be a more interesting person. This is what Estelle Fournier, a 16-year-old teenager, launches at the very end of the first capsule. She is the guide throughout the six episodes of An issue in the news, a series to understand the news media.
Head of content on the project, Christine Bouchard mentions that it is this idea that led to the production of these capsules which last between 4 and 8 minutes. "Young people get information on social networks and also a lot through their parents," says Ms. Bouchard. With her colleague, Isabelle Picard, director of the various digital platforms of Radio-Canada such as ARTV, Explore and Youth, the idea therefore sprouted last spring to produce visual content that would serve to better equip students at the end of primary school in terms of media education.
Full of questions
Why get informed when you're young? Where does the news come from? Information and opinion, how to navigate? Can we get information on social networks? Does my algorithm control my news? Getting informed, does it change the world? So many questions that are reviewed by Estelle and the specialists met during the reports. Informative, playful and relevant, young Estelle's comments are combined with images that are not only focused on Radio-Canada, but on other important media in Quebec.
Topical Question even goes to the National Assembly in Quebec to question the leaders of all political parties as to whether it is naive to think that by being informed, we can change the world?
The comments of young people so far about the series? Positive, of course, if we trust those mentioned by Radio-Canada. In the first capsule, a sentence said by Paul Arcand of 98.5 FM in Montreal also catches the attention of a young person, knowing that people "who do not get information well or not at all become naive and vulnerable. ".
Looking for teachers
We do not owe that Topical question to the MAJ team. The dozen people who gravitate there have also produced video series for two years such as the'ABC, the Minute Update as well as What is hiding in the St. Lawrence River?
According to Isabelle Picard, “our series can be used to nurture the skills of adopting prosocial behaviors, social engagement and managing emotions and stress. "In terms of media education, it is also important to add that every day, a daily offer of popularized information in this area is offered to young people aged 7 to 13 and" can be consulted on our various platforms " , specifies Ms. Picard.
Treating information in a serious and fun way is somewhat the mission that the MAJ team has given itself, while remaining, of course, a reliable and credible source, responding to the journalistic practices of Radio-Canada.
Moreover, teachers' comments are always welcome, explains the director of digital platforms at Radio-Canada. These days, a pedagogical advisor is even sought after to assist the team.
Questions or requests from teachers can be forwarded to the team by the section For teachers.
Finally, new content is added every week through the following platforms:
Update on Facebook (for teachers)
Update on the web
Update on Instagram
Update on YouTube
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