Journalism Blog

10 year old editors

Learning
from the March 01, 2005 edition

The young editors discuss the next day's stories. OLIVIER HENSGEN All the news that's kid friendly At this Paris newspaper, 10-year-olds take part in the editorial meetings - and choose the stories. By Emilie Boyer King | Contributor to The Christian Science Monitor PARIS – It's early morning in the Paris headquarters of leading French newspaper Mon Quotidien, and the news team is busy discussing a story on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. "Do you know where Mecca is?" asks an editor to the news team.

"I've never heard of it," replies Kajetan, the "editor in chief." "Neither have I," add two other editors.

That might sound surprising, but you can't blame Kajetan for his apparent lack of knowledge. He is only 10 years old, and along with two other primary school kids, Juliette and François, he has been invited to be editor in chief for the day at one of the world's only daily newspapers for children.

Aimed at 10- to 14-year-old readers, Mon Quotidien marks its 10th anniversary this month and it has a lot to celebrate. In 10 years readership has steadily grown. The newspaper is so successful, it now has three sister publications for ages ranging from 5- to 18-year-olds, edited by Play Bac Presse.

Those who thought children didn't like reading newspapers can think again.

"Children love the newspaper, but so do parents and teachers," says the founder and editor in chief, François Dufour. "Children like to read it because it's written for them. Parents like their kids to read, and teachers are happy because anything that encourages pupils to read is good. It's what I call a virtuous triangle."

posted by Dave @ 8:02 AM