Zakaj lokalni mediji štejejo
Tako je nastal Medijski laboratorij, ki je sicer del uredništva ZON.si, ampak mnogo več kot to. Urednica Neža Grmšek je idejo že lep čas imela v glavi, le uresničiti je ni bilo tako lahko. »Prepričana sem, da smo lokalni mediji ključni za demokratično družbo. Smo tisti, ki poznamo ljudi, poznamo duh regije in predvsem razumemo posameznika.« Zato je ključno, da je prostor, kjer bomo uvajali nove novinarje, urili mlade za delo na socialnih omrežjih, vključili prebivalstvo kot ustvarjalce novic in ne le bralce … del lokalnega prostora. Zakaj pa bi vedno vse bilo v Ljubljani?
No, tako smo malo pospravili, kupili kakšno mizo, še prebeliti moramo, pa dodati kakšno simpatično nalepko in prostor bo nared. Čeprav nam je še nekaj dela ostalo, pa smo na tem mestu že naredili zelo veliko. Tokrat se bomo pohvalili z luštno skupino »pripravnikov«, katerih poti so z našimi trčile že pred poletjem.
Prva točka naših idej je bilo medijsko usposabljanje, kjer smo povezali zelo mešano skupino entuziastov, ki so se želeli naučiti več o delu v medijih. Prav zanimivo je bilo videti, kakšne so njihove ideje in želje. Andreja nam je zaupala, da bi nekoč rada napisala knjigo, Jona najbolj zanima delo v produkciji, Helena pa se je zakopala v delo in pripravila več 10 novinarskih prispevkov, ki so že bili objavljeni na ZON.si. Povezali smo se in del udeležencev je postal kar del ekipe ZON.si.
Pridruži se naslednji generaciji!
Pilotni primer medijskega usposabljanja smo izvedli in komaj čakamo, da se lotimo nove serije z novim paketom udeležencev, ki se bodo urili v pripravi podkastov, snemanju Tiktok videov, raziskovanju in pisanju novinarskih člankov … Če vas zanima, ne oklevajte in nam pišite na urednistvo@zon.si. Do takrat pa del našega Medijskega laboratorija lahko vidite ali srečate v osnovnih in srednjih šolah po Zasavju, kjer hodimo na delavnice in nas mladi učijo, kakšen je svet danes. Ja prav ste prebrali – mi smo tisti, ki se največ naučimo.
Medijski center v Zasavju: možnost zaposlitve, brezplačen certifikat
Young People, Microphones and Big Ideas – Inside the Media Lab
Why local media matter
The Media Lab was created as part of the ZON.si newsroom, but it has grown into something much bigger than just another editorial project. The idea had been in editor-in-chief Neža Grmšek’s mind for years—it simply took time to turn it into reality.
“I truly believe that local media are essential to a healthy democratic society. We are the ones who know our communities, understand the character of our region, and, above all, know the people behind the stories,” says Grmšek.
That is why it was important to create a space where new journalists can learn the profession, young people can develop digital and social media skills, and local residents can become active contributors to journalism rather than simply consumers of news.
After all, why should every opportunity be concentrated in the capital?
Building the space—and the community
The Media Lab is still a work in progress. We’ve rearranged the newsroom, added a few new desks, and there are still walls to paint and creative touches to finish. But despite the remaining work, something much more important has already taken shape.
Even before summer began, we welcomed an inspiring group of participants whose paths crossed with ours through the first Media Lab programme.
Our initial media training brought together people from very different backgrounds, all united by a curiosity about journalism and storytelling. It quickly became clear that everyone had their own ambitions.
Andreja dreams of writing a book one day. Jona is fascinated by media production and everything that happens behind the scenes. Helena immersed herself in journalism, producing dozens of articles—many of which have already been published on ZON.si.
What began as a training programme soon became something more. We built connections, and several participants have since joined the ZON.si team.
Join the next generation
The pilot edition of the Media Lab has shown us just how valuable hands-on learning can be, and we are already preparing the next group of participants.
Future trainees will learn how to produce podcasts, create engaging TikTok content, research stories, and write journalistic articles while gaining practical experience in a real newsroom.
If you would like to be part of the next generation, we’d love to hear from you. Simply contact us at urednistvo@zon.si.
Until then, you may meet members of our Media Lab in primary and secondary schools across the Zasavje region, where we organise workshops with young people. While we certainly share our knowledge and experience, the greatest lesson is often ours.
Because every workshop reminds us that the best journalism begins with listening.
