A bold new initiative is creating pathways for the next generation of diverse media talent — and it’s completely free.
The Back Cover Youth Creatives Training Hub, supported by the Victorian Government, is offering a series of hands-on workshops in journalism, podcasting, videography and digital content creation.
The program is open to all Victorians, with a particular focus on uplifting multicultural and regional voices.
Designed to break down long-standing barriers in the media industry, the training program begins on 11 July in Melbourne, with registrations now open.
“There’s no shortage of talent, but there is a shortage of access,” said Mibengé Nsenduluka, journalist and founder of Back Cover Media. “This program is about giving people from underrepresented communities the tools, training and confidence to tell their stories — and be heard.”
Despite Australia’s rich cultural mix, its media sector remains disproportionately white. According to Media Diversity Australia, more than 75 percent of presenters, reporters and commentators on Australian news and current affairs programs are from Anglo-Celtic backgrounds, while people from non-European backgrounds make up just six percent.
This lack of representation not only skews the stories being told — it shapes public perception and marginalises entire communities. The Back Cover Youth Creatives Training Hub seeks to change that by offering culturally safe, practical media training led by experienced professionals.
Participants will learn how to structure compelling news stories, develop and record their own podcasts, shoot and edit video content, and build their voice in the digital space.
The sessions will be delivered by working journalists, editors, producers and digital creatives, many of whom bring lived experience of navigating the industry as people of colour, people with disabilities, or members of regional communities.
To ensure equitable access, regional Victorians are strongly encouraged to apply, and travel and accommodation subsidies may be available to support their participation.
Workshops will be held in Carlton and Heidelberg, with flexible access options also being explored for participants outside of metropolitan Melbourne.
According to a 2024 Australian Government report, cultural and creative activity contributed $63.7 billion to the national economy in 2022–23, representing 2.5% of GDP.
Yet the industry still fails to reflect the diversity of the nation. Initiatives like this not only build essential skills, they help to shape a more inclusive and representative media landscape.
“This is more than a workshop,” said Nsenduluka. “It’s an invitation for young people to own their story and shape the future of media.”
