Empowering youth voices: Inside PBS Wisconsin Education’s ‘Field Notes’

March 24, 2026 - 00:58

A groundbreaking program in Wisconsin is shifting the microphone directly to young people, allowing them to document and broadcast the issues that matter most to their generation. The initiative, a student-led production called "Field Notes," empowers teenagers to become multimedia journalists in their own communities.

The project was driven by committees like By Youth For Youth, comprised of high school students who identified pressing local and personal topics for exploration. Reya Khatri, one such student member, helped pinpoint the narratives worth telling. These young creators then received training and support to produce professional-quality video segments, moving from concept to final edit.

Their reports delve into a diverse range of subjects, from mental health and school life to environmental concerns and social justice, offering authentic viewpoints often absent from traditional media. The segments are distributed to classrooms and public audiences, serving as both educational resources and a powerful platform for civic engagement.

This innovative approach does more than teach media skills; it validates student voice as essential to community dialogue. By treating young people as experts on their own experiences, the project fosters a new generation of informed storytellers and engaged citizens, proving that their perspectives are not just welcome, but vital.