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BBC Young Reporter Competition 2023: Winners announced

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The winning stories in this year's BBC Young Reporter Competition have been revealed.

In its fifth year, this annual opportunity gives 11 to 18-year-olds across the UK the chance to produce their own stories about issues relevant to them and their lives with BBC programme-makers, producers and journalists.

Following regional and national judging, 20 winners have been chosen and their stories will be broadcast across the BBC, including on The One Show, BBC Breakfast, BBC 5Live, BBC News and BBC Local Radio programmes, as well as online and on social media platforms.

Judges included editors and commissioners from across the BBC, as well as presenters and reporters including Huw Edwards, Naga Munchetty, Pria Rai and Adam Fleming from BBC News, presenter Ashley John Baptiste and The One Show's Alex Jones and Newsround's Ricky Boleto.

BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live presenter Naga, who is involved for the second time, said: "We absolutely need to hear the experiences of young people and from their perspective.

BBC Young Reporter Competition 2023 judges. From left to right: Ricky Boleto, Adam Fleming, Pria Rai, Ashley John-Baptise, Alex Jones, Huw Edwards, Naga Munchetty
You might recognise some of the judges of this year's competition!

"They know how they are affected better than anyone else and, as they are the future, the stories and subjects on their news agenda need to be heard by as many of us as possible too."

The BBC Young Reporter Competition 2023 winners are:

NATIONAL WINNERS

Ben, 14, Liverpool + Theo, 14, London: AI - teenagers' take on the evolving technology

Can BBC Young Reporters Theo and Ben tell whether ChatGPT has been used in each other's work?

Ben and Theo's full report is available to read here.

Elise, 16, Northamptonshire: Why brass bands still matter

Elise's report broadcast on BBC Breakfast, Look East, Radio 5 Live, Radio Northampton and online here.

Evan, 11, Cleethorpes: 'JIA doesn't deter my football ambitions'

Meet Evan, who loves football but also has a condition that affects his joints

Millie, 19, Ware: 'Me and my dog are going to university!'

Read Millie's report here.

Anon female, 16, London: Our war - a mother and daughter's perspective on the conflict in Ukraine

REGIONAL WINNERS

Northern Ireland

Cara, 15, Castlewellan: 'United by Music' - playing with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland

A 15-year-old girl from County Down says music connects her to people from different communities

Scotland

Mia, 12, Bonnybridge: Is it a level playing field for female footballers?

BBC young reporter Mia's day at Hampden

Wales (including Welsh language winner)

Hari, 13, Cardiff: Having unique Jewish-Welsh heritage

Nevaeh, 17, Cardiff: My journey to becoming a youth worker

England (South West)

Ella. 13, Truro: Having a hidden disability

Ella, 14, has spina bifida which has led to various health complications.

England (West)

Matthew, 15, Taunton: Coaching a disability cricket team

Matthew's report broadcast on BBC Points West, Radio Somerset and online here.

England (London)

Angelica, 16, south east London: Living in poor housing

Angelica's report broadcast on BBC London radio and TV output and online here.

England (South East)

Julia, 14, Tonbridge: The lack of community language schools

Julia’s parents are Polish and every Saturday she attends a Polish school

England (East)

Jack, 14, Billericay: The community connection of grassroots football clubs

Jack's report broadcast on BBC Look East and BBC Essex and you can read more online here.

England (East Midlands)

Elsa, 14, Bingham: Shooting - competing in a sport with a stigma

'Dedication is what you need to be a good shooter'

England (West Midlands)

Luke, 16, Dudley: Tackling the issue of concussion in grassroots sport

England (North)

Anna, 17, Hexham: 'How I'm helping professionals understand ADHD'

See Anna's report here.

Eva, 13, Oldham: Disabled toilets that fail to deliver what's needed

Eva's report featured on BBC North West Tonight in September 2023.

Grace, 16, Sheffield: Greyhound racing - supporting a local community

BBC Yorkshire's Young Reporter Grace talks of her love for the greyhound racing community.

Stories were considered on editorial merit, based on the strength of the idea and originality, and the judges were also looking for a range of diverse stories from across the UK. The full terms and conditions are available here.

BBC Young Reporter engages with thousands of 11 to 18-year-olds across the UK every year, working in partnership with schools, colleges and youth organisations.

The project is part of the BBC's commitment to media literacy and supporting young people's understanding and interest in broadcasting and the creative industries.

It works with young people in three ways:

  • supporting them to tell their stories on BBC programmes and platforms
  • giving them skills and information about how to differentiate between real news and false information
  • providing advice and inspiration about media careers with help from BBC staff ambassadors

The competition winners are announced to coincide with the BBC Young Reporter Festival taking place in Birmingham from 20 to 22 June 2023.

Involving hundreds of young people from across the Midlands, and others from across the UK virtually, this annual event includes media skills workshops and masterclasses with the talent behind BBC Three's Man Like Mobeen, Newsround and a range of BBC staff and contributors.

More details about BBC Young Reporter: www.bbc.co.uk/youngreporter

Follow us on Twitter @BBCYoungReport / #BBCYoungReporter