Behind today’s headlines, young people are telling it on Heywire

It’s become increasingly obvious that Heywire stories can touch on serious issues that end up in the national headlines – from farmers struggling with mining companies, binge drinking, online bullying, even the terrible death of a baby in country Victoria – there’s young people in these communities writing, photographing, shooting video, and they’re bringing it here to the Heywire.

Want some examples?

The ABC’s acclaimed current affairs program Four Corners broadcasts a special about the tensions between farmers, mining companies and governments – almost a year earlier Angie from Brigalow uploaded this film about what was happening on her family’s farm, and their struggle to hang on to food producing land.

And while news headlines scream about the terrible incident in St Arnaud, thanks to Chloe we get an idea of what it’s like living in St Arnaud, and what people are feeling there.

Online bullying and binge drinking are stories that continue to appear in the media, but how often do you actually hear someone under the age of 22 get a say about what’s happening in their world?

Binge drinking gets talked about on Heywire – and ends up being used as evidence in Federal Parliament; online bullying becomes a 3 million dollar priority for the Federal Government, but it’s at Heywire where we learn what actually happens.

We have fun, we’re still looking for video, photos and tales of the fun things that happen outside capital cities in Australia – but we’re not afraid to get serious.

Serve it up – let us know what’s happening in your corner of Australia. Why?

Because if you don’t… who will?

Visit: http://blogs.abc.net.au/heywire

by Jarrod Watt