The Know Your Neighbour was a 2025 social cohesion and community connection program. This replicable program supported a group of diverse young people to engage with traditional and digital media by building journalism skills and networks, and share otherwise untold stories from underrepresented voices.
Building the next generation of community storytellers
Young people across New South Wales gained hands-on experience, media literacy skills and stronger connections to their local communities through the Know Your Neighbour program, delivered by the the Local & Independent News Association (LINA), in partnership with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet from June 2025 to January 2026.
Designed to strengthen social cohesion at a time of growing online misinformation and increasingly complex digital environments, the initiative helped participants develop critical thinking, digital content and reporting skills, while also giving them opportunities to tell the stories that matter in their own communities.
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“The training sessions really helped me gain an understanding of what it means to be a journalist and helped me better see if I wanted to pursue that career.”
Evangeline, participant
Through a network of 15 LINA member newsrooms, a group of 33 young people from diverse backgrounds in NSW were supported to create local stories and engage with professional journalists, editors and publishers.
The newsrooms provided mentorship, editorial guidance and publishing opportunities for the participants, helping them to gain real-world experience while strengthening connections between local media and young audiences.
The participants brought a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives, exploring issues affecting their communities, interviewing local leaders and change-makers, and producing stories that reflected the diversity, creativity and aspirations of young people across NSW.
The program
LINA partnered with the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO) to deliver 4 x 2 hour online sessions, which combined practical skills development with opportunities for collaboration and reflection.
Participants shared their personal perspectives and demonstrated growing confidence as the sessions progressed.
By the final workshops, many participants were confidently applying journalism concepts, critically analysing media content and communicating their own ideas.
Sessions included:
- What is journalism? Understanding news vs opinion, editorial standards and platforms.
- Writing for news and social media, including verifying sources, mis- and dis-information
- Interview techniques, including tips on mobile and social journalism
- Basic editing, including audio and social media storytelling
Amplifying untold stories
Participants produced content on topics they considered important, often highlighting voices and experiences that are underrepresented in mainstream media, including:
- Amelia Hall explored how the social media ban impacts teenagers for The Coonamble Times
- Maisie Morrison created a three-part video series about conservation efforts in the Southern Highlands
- Ariba Omar interviewed Maddie Hessup about moving from Darwin to Wagga with her Australian Defence Force family
- Kaelan O’Connor produced a video series explaining local government through interviews with a Wollongong councillor
- Nataaya Weaver interviewed migrants in Manly about building connections in Australia
- Theo Adams reported on the importance of teaching Aboriginal culture in schools
- Mackenzie Watkins coveredCanberra’s Multicultural Festival
- Selina Sali produced a three-part video series focused on the experiences of young people in Wollongong
Together, these stories created a rich collection of local reporting that reflected the interests, concerns and perspectives of young people across NSW.
Outcomes and impact
33 young people were supported through this project. Of whom:
4-week training program
Building new skills in media literacy and learning how to produce digital news content for traditional and social media (91% completion rate)
Creating new connections with editors, journalists and photographers through mentoring support provided (70% completion rate)
More than one-third of participants secured ongoing paid employment as a direct result of their involvement. This outcome demonstrates the program’s potential not only to build skills, but also to create meaningful pathways into local journalism and community media careers.
“The power of a story is so interesting. The way things are portrayed can make such a big difference in the way people see the world.”
Sophia, participant
Developing future media creators
Key skills gained through the program included:
- Media literacy and critical thinking
- Content creation and editing
- Digital distribution and social media storytelling
- Journalism fundamentals and editorial standards
- Interviewing and communication skills
- Confidence appearing on screen and in print
CMTO reported significant growth in confidence, communication and critical thinking across the cohort.
Participants moved beyond simply understanding journalism concepts to actively applying them in real-world settings, including local news reporting, podcasts and social media storytelling.
Creating a sense of belonging
Participants were encouraged to explore the people, stories and experiences that shape their communities. This approach encouraged curiosity, empathy and community connection while recognising that everyone has a story worth telling.
Reflections from newsrooms
The program also delivered benefits for participating publishers.
Newsrooms reported that young contributors brought fresh perspectives, new ideas and valuable community connections while helping strengthen future talent pathways.
““I loved meeting and working with young people. I’d recommend it to all publishers and would like to give ongoing assignments to both our chosen participants.”
Genevieve Swart, The Illawarra Flame
Looking forward
The Know Your Neighbour program demonstrated how investment in young people can strengthen media literacy, community connection and local journalism.
By combining practical training, professional mentorship and real publishing opportunities, the program helped young people build confidence, develop valuable skills and tell stories that matter to their communities.
Most importantly, it created pathways for a new generation of local storytellers – ensuring more diverse voices are represented in the media and helping strengthen the future of independent community journalism across New South Wales.
“The program has made us more inclined, not less, to involve young people in content creation.“
Belle Wood, The Bugle News
Please reach out to discuss how we can bring this program to other communities across Australia.
Or find out more about the Know Your Neighbour program: