The media is supposed to hold up a mirror to society, but for young people this is often a distorting mirror. Little wonder that young people are increasingly creating their own media, in the form of web sites, magazines, DVDs and radio stations.

Young People Now's Positive Images Awards is this week calling for entries for the third year. The call follows the Government's launch of the £6m Youth Media Fund just before Christmas. Mediabox (www.media-box.co.uk) allows bids of up to £80,000 and is run by a consortium led by First Light Movies in partnership with the Media Trust, UK Film Council and Skillset.

Clive Jones, chair of the fund, says: "Our aim is to encourage young people to tell their stories at a time when much of the media is focused on telling us what is wrong with young people. Over the next year we will see campaigns, insights, games, print, work on the web, films - a torrent of stuff."

At the launch, youth minister Beverley Hughes pointed out that youth media projects also encourage the development of vital "soft skills", including teamwork, creativity and communications.

The Positive Images Awards reward youth groups for promoting affirmative images of young people. To mark the increasing diversification of youth media projects we have added two categories - best broadcast, and best interactive media.

The internet enables young people to broadcast to their peers without the need to deal with the owners of established channels. Neil Tucker, 17, is a "young leader" and DJ on Spark Radio, an online radio station in Wiltshire run by and for young people, and facilitated by Wiltshire County Council Youth Development Service. "Spark Radio is such a massive part of my life," he says.

Nine 13- to 20-year-olds from London will use the latest in satellite and internet technology when they head off to Dubai and Oman later this year on a 12-day project run by Offscreen Education Programme to provide an alternative image of the Arab world for their peers.

But print is still relevant. Melissa Gibbons, 22, is involved with Positive Images award winner LIVE magazine. "I learned lots of new skills," she says.

Youth projects are key but the established media must also give young people a voice. The Positive Images Awards also work to reward print and broadcast media that portray young people in a way that combats stereotypes.

See Leader, p13

CONTACT US

- For more information on each category, an entry form and a list of past winners, visit www.ypnmagazine.com/campaign or call Charlotte Goddard on 020 8267 4719

- Deadline for entries is 23 February 2007

POSITIVE IMAGES AWARDS CATEGORIES

The first five categories are designed to reward young people and youth groups, while the final four are open to media organisations.

- Best magazine produced by young people for young people

This category is open to young people and youth groups that have produced their own magazine targeting their peers.

- Best interactive media produced by young people for young people

This new category will reward young people and youth groups that have created web sites, games, blogs and other interactive media aimed at their peers.

- Best broadcast produced by young people for young people

This new award is for young people and youth groups that have developed radio, TV or film broadcasts targeting their peers.

- Best involvement by a young person in promoting positive media portrayal

Open to 11- to 25-year-olds who have worked to develop a positive image of young people in the media.

- Best publicity campaign by a youth group

Open to youth groups that have made an effort to gain positive publicity for their activities or for young people in general.

- Best TV coverage of young people

An entry can be one programme or a series of programmes on terrestrial or satellite television.

- Best radio coverage of young people

An entry can be one programme or a series of programmes on local or national radio.

- Best local press coverage of young people

For the local newspaper or web site that has best portrayed young people and youth issues.

- Best national press coverage of young people

For the national newspaper, magazine or web site that has best portrayed young people and youth issues.