Hot Take: Young people actually love the news.
For years, the discourse around young people and news has pointed to the same conclusion: they don't like it. They don't trust it. It's overwhelming. And it’s too depressing.
And while some of that may hold true, we'd like to offer a counterargument: Young people actually love the news. It's just packaged differently.
Today, news is creator-led, niche, and delivered in the form of newsletters, short-form video, and community-driven platforms. Young people are consuming news and information every single day, and not just passively. Whether on TikTok or Substack, they're actively engaging with stories and topics they don't just need to stay informed, but that they're genuinely curious and passionate about.
The question isn't whether young people care about the news. They do. The question is whether the industry is willing to meet them where they are, and build for how they actually consume it. This session brings together voices from across the new media ecosystem to explore what's working, what the future of news looks like, and how brands can not only get involved, but also learn a thing or two.
Rebecca Hutson is Editor-in-Chief of The News Movement where she oversees all editorial output and newsrooms in both New York and London. Rebecca joined The News Movement in January 2023, becoming editor-in-chief in April 2024. Becca is an experienced journalist, editor and newsroom leader, having worked in senior management roles at some of the world's largest media brands including MailOnline and Reach PLC.
Prior to joining The News Movement, she was part of the team to launch GBNews as Head of Digital, as well as appearing on-air as a breakfast anchor. She is a frequent guest on Sky News, LBC and Times Radio.
Matt is an experienced leader at Google, with over 12 years in strategic global partnerships, brand marketing and people management.
Matt currently leads global efforts for the Google News Initiative, overseeing responsible AI innovation, emerging news voices, industry research and digital skills. Matt spearheaded the 'Journalism AI Innovation Challenge,' providing 35 grants to small/medium-sized news organizations, and has designed and launched multiple other international grant programs to support experimentation across the news and information ecosystem.
Prior to joining Google, Matt was a broadcast journalist for BBC News for 8 years - presenting and reporting on BBC News Channel, BBC London & BBC Three '60 seconds'.
Jonelle Awomoyi is a BBC News presenter and journalist whose reporting is published across the BBC's social platforms, where she engages millions each week with incisive, accessible storytelling.
She previously co-hosted the BBC Sounds podcast Reliable Sauce with Kirsty and Jonelle which explored biggest stories from that week, especially those most pressing to younger audiences.
Recently, Jonelle led an investigation into the London International Christian Church, published on the BBC News website and YouTube, examining allegations and experiences of former members.
She has spoken at events in the Houses of Parliament, Microsoft HQ, St James’ Palace and the United Nations HQ in New York whilst helping raise an astonishing £107,000 in one night for youth services across the UK.
Jonelle was awarded a mural in London in 2020 for community contributions during the pandemic, was nominated for the 2021 Women of the Year Award.
Ava Evans is Politics Editor at PoliticsJOE. Based in Westminster, she covers UK politics and trade unions.Ava joined PoliticsJOE in October 2021 from Global where she was the lead producer on the James O’Brien programme on LBC Radio for more than two years after previously working in other production roles at LBC. Prior to this she was a broadcast journalist with the BBC. Ava is a regular contributor on the BBC, Sky News and Good Morning Britain.