The winners were announced and celebrated during the Power of Journalism conference in Stockholm in November, co-hosted by Schibsted and Tinius Trust.
The jury, focusing on democratising digital journalism and integrating technology to make journalism more accessible to young audiences, selected three winners. Each winner exemplifies innovation and dedication in their respective fields.
Let’s delve into the minds of these innovative individuals and explore their aspirations and projects.
Kattis Folkeson – Engaging the youth with news journalism
Kattis Folkeson, a student at Jakobsbergs folkhögskola, stands out with her unique approach to engaging young people in news journalism. She views the Schibsted scholarship as the ideal platform to bring her fresh ideas to the media industry.
Her project, ‘News Points,’ is an app that intertwines news consumption with a rewards system, aiming to make it more appealing and interactive for younger audiences. Kattis explains:
“I designed ‘News points’ with the goal to make news more accessible and engaging to the youth, who might otherwise be disinterested.”
Kattis hopes that ‘News points’ will not only be fun and educational but also help young readers understand the importance of staying informed about world events.
“For each consumed news article, video or game, the user of the app receives points. If the user becomes a monthly subscriber, they receive double points. The points can then be used as coupons in stores or to get movie or concert tickets.”
Reflecting on the scholarship’s impact, Kattis notes:
“This scholarship validates my ideas. It’s an opportunity to further develop ‘News Points’ and potentially reshape how news is consumed by younger generations.”
Her future vision is to reshape the landscape of news journalism, making it more accessible and engaging for the digitally savvy youth. She wants to tell stories in a way that make people listen, learn and grow.
“I want to make reality more comprehensible and less scary by explaining it so people understand. And I want to save the world.”
Pierre Le Fevre – Pioneering AI in journalism
Pierre Le Fevre, a final year Master of Science student at KTH, is pioneering the use of AI in journalism. His project, åt.se, focuses on personalising news delivery and enhancing transparency in journalism through the use of generative AI and open-source principles.
Pierre shares his vision for åt.se:
“My project is about experimenting with the latest generative AI tools and seeing what they might be useful for within the context of news. The aim is to see how generative AI can be used within journalism to reduce biases and present a broader perspective on news stories. I’m also exploring how combining open-source methods with journalism can enhance transparency.”
He envisions his project embracing crowd-sourced information and reader contributions in the future, further enhancing the news experience.
The scholarship for Pierre is a stepping stone towards achieving his ambitious goals in the realm of AI and journalism. He states:
“Being recognised by Schibsted lends credibility to my work. It’s an opportunity to delve deeper into the possibilities of AI in journalism and potentially transform how news is delivered and consumed.”
His work represents a forward-thinking approach to journalism, where AI is not just a tool but a collaborator in delivering news.
Tilda Wendefors – Advocating for children’s digital rights
Tilda Wendefors, a journalism student at Jakobsbergs folkhögskola, is passionate about children’s rights in the digital world. Her project, ‘Sharenting – What do children think?’, addresses the complex issue of children’s rights and perspectives when parents publish pictures and information about their kids online.
Tilda elaborates on her project:
“In this series, I’ll explore children’s views on their digital portrayal. It’s about understanding what is appropriate to share and the interests behind sharing personal content online. I aim to create a dialogue that not only engages all ages but also underscores the importance of including children’s voices in social debates.”
For Tilda, the scholarship means more than just financial support; it is an opportunity to delve deeper into her project and establish a foothold in the industry. It has also provided her with invaluable networking opportunities. She expands:
“The scholarship gives me an opportunity to carry on with my project, a journalistic idea I’m excited to dig deeper into. It gives me resources, encouragement and hopefully a foot in the door when it’s time to get it published.”
Kattis, Pierre, and Tilda are symbolic of the new generation of journalists and technologists. Their innovative projects, supported by Schibsted’s Power of Journalism Scholarship, are not just shaping the future of journalism; they are actively redefining it to be more inclusive, engaging, and impactful.
We are excited to accompany them on their upcoming journeys!