When given responsibility to report on their lives and the lives of other children, they feel powerful and important, and they do marvelous work. About 25,000 children have shared their experiences, thoughts, and feelings with Children's Express editors in interviews or roundtable discussions. Children and teens learn and grow rapidly when they are entrusted with important responsibilities. At Children's Express they develop a wide range of skills including reporting, editing, writing, research, group leadership, and training. Children wielding the power of the press provide strong role models for other children and teens who see, hear, or read them in the media.
Media are among very few links between children and public policymakers.
Though there is a journalistic tradition of championing children in cases of extreme abuse, there is little ongoing coverage of children in any way comparable to that of, say, city hall. Robert Clampitt is founder and president of Children's Express. Stephen Silha is a freelance writer and communications consultant who has worked with Children's Express for nine years. I like listening to music, and I'm scared whenever I go outside. I would love to move out 'cause there's too much violence on this block.