Introduction

Mass media has an important role in facilitating knowledge acquisition. The traditional media as well as the digital media provide an opportunity for citizens to receive local and global news. In this sense, news programs can be considered political socialization tools. Studies about political socialization in different countries and periods show that the majority of citizens use television to access news (Çaplı, 2002, p. 76).

Like adults, children also have the right of access to information. According to Article 17 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, States Parties “recognize the important function performed by mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health” (UNICEF, 2016).

Should children have the possibility to access information about political or social matters through television like adults? Is there a possibility to raise awareness of political issues among children through the media? Currently, news programs for children in Turkey are lacking. The programs for children are limited to those with entertaining contents. It has been observed that educational and informative programs are overly didactic. However, it is obvious that the social space of children cannot be separated from their political space. Through their family, school, circle of friends or the media, children are directly or indirectly exposed to political subjects. Under the influence of these, children learn about politics, political values, attitudes, and culture, which are defined as processes of political socialization (Yılmaz, 2013, p. 319). Even if the Internet and social media become increasingly important for children, there is no doubt that the television is still the main tool for encouraging (political) socialization among the children, especially considering the amount of time children spend watching television (Çaplı, 2002; RTÜK, 2006; RTÜK, 2013). 

A Child News Program as a Political Socialization Tool: Logo! Die Welt und ich 

Children, like adults, should have access to information about the world and the country in which they live and also about undesirable events like war, terrorism, or natural disasters. This way, children can build a sense of reality. The study by Ertürk and Gül (2006) shows that the news programs in Turkey which are viewed in the family environment cause negative effects like stress or anxiety among children. Therefore the purpose of a news program for children is to inform children about political issues by transmitting it in children’s language. Logo! Die Welt und ich, a children’s news program produced by the German public-service television broadcaster, informs the children about current political and social events. It highlights and explains political and social subjects which are difficult to transmit through animation. Furthermore, the children have the possibility of participating in the program as active reporters. 

Purpose and Methodology

This study intends to submit a proposal on the development of children’s news program by analyzing logo! Die Welt und ich, as an exemplary program for children. In the study, three news items related to political and social issues are selected and examined using positive discourse analysis. These news items are selected because they thematize current political and social issues during the study period. The three items are about the education system in the state North RhineWestphalia, an earthquake in Italy, and the Turkish military’s operation in Syria. Through the analysis the study intends to reveal how political contents can be transmitted in a comprehensive manner for children and what kind of messages can be transmitted. Further, the focus is on the textual and visual language of the news and the effect on children. In contrast to the critical discourse analysis, which focuses on power relations, dominance, and their reproduction in texts, positive discourse analysis focuses on the successful discursive interventions in texts, which are, for instance, peacemaking or those that create commonality (Reisigl & Ziem, 2014, p. 89).

Findings

According to the findings, logo! Die Welt und ich broadcasts news about tragic events, for instance, terrorism and war, in addition to entertaining content. In this sense the program does not have any thematic restrictions. By broadcasting tragic events, a factual attitude is noticeable. For instance, in the news about the earthquake in Italy or the operation of the Turkish military in Syria, the number of dead or injured people and the name of a terrorist group are reported. Therefore, names and terms which could frighten the children are not softened but are also not exaggerated. Furthermore, political and social issues in the program are transmitted along with some background information on the issues. This kind of presentation is considered useful in promoting political socialization among children. Moreover, the use of visuals or expressions that could have negative impact on children is avoided. Children’s participation and opinions are considered important and children are seen as members of society. Although the news program uses simple and comprehensive language to transmit political issues, it is important for parents to present to provide explanations to the children. 

Results and Discussion

Logo! Die Welt und ich is an exemplary news program for children because it informs children about actual events and supports their participation in social issues. Public-service television broadcasters should care about informing children about the events in the world, so as to promote political socialization among children. An example for a similar Turkish program is Haberin Olsun. The scope of this informative and entertaining program, which is an important tool for promoting socialization among children, could be extended to include political content. Given the intensive political agenda of Turkey, it could be helpful for children if these topics are discussed in simple language because the news as presented for adults can cause anxiety among children.