Saint John High School student Brandon Hicks recently won an Atlantic Student Journalism Award for a radio show he helped produce about bullying of gay teens. The program is called The Whiners and airs Saturdays at 12 pm on The Local 107.3 FM, the community and campus radio station at UNBSJ.
The Whiners is produced by – and for – young people in Saint John. The award-winning episode is precisely the kind of programming I envisioned when the Human Develpment Council helped launch this show with the campus radio station last fall. Several years ago, I worked in Ghana with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). During my time there, I came across several community-based youth shows that dealt with important social and human rights issues.
I came back to Canada with the thought of one day starting a program like this. The Whiners is this kind of show, and the episode on gay rights demonstrates that Saint John area youth can produce insightful and progressive journalism.
Congratulations Brandon and also the other area youth that helped produce this show. The Whiners will soon be going on summer break, with Brandon heading off to St. Thomas University in the fall. He’ll received a $1,500 bursary with his award, and $1,500.
If you’re interested in learning more about the show, visit the Facebook page or blog.
You can also contact me if you’d like to become involved next fall. The show is actively seeking new volunteers. Phone: 636-8541. E-mail: mark@sjhdc.ca
