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While parents strive to shield their children from overexposure to news—especially when it’s overly dramatic or anxiety-inducing—it’s clear that young minds are not indifferent to their surroundings. Children listen, observe, and try to make sense of the world around them, based on their understanding and perspective. To meet this need for comprehension and to provide educational insight into complex topics, France Télévisions created this new news format with a clear mission and approach, shaped in collaboration with the primary stakeholders: the children themselves!
One Topic Per Week and Three Hosts to Guide and Engage Us
Every Sunday, Myriam Bounafaa, Raphäl Yem, Élise Lambert, and the Mission Info team delve into a specific topic. Combining studio discussions, reports, interviews, and questions from children, each episode offers a fun yet in-depth exploration of a current issue. From manga, the war in Ukraine, and the fight against gender inequality to the Vendée Globe, the themes are diverse yet always connected to headline news for adults.
The camera acts as the children’s eyes. To create a sense of closeness, we look directly into it as if addressing the children, speaking to them informally, smiling at them.
Elise Lambert
The three-host format brings energy to the program and enhances children’s focus and engagement. Each host—Myriam, Raphäl, and Élise—has a distinct personality and role, making it easier for young viewers to connect with the content.
A Program Thoughtfully Designed and Tailored for Its Audience
Far from being a more educational spin-off of traditional news broadcasts, Mission Info was crafted based on specialized studies and the valuable input of educational partners such as CLEMI (Center for Media and Information Education). The program underwent pilot testing directly with children, ensuring that the content is relevant, educational, and engaging for its target audience.
We cannot leave children alone to face news they haven’t understood or have misunderstood. It is our role as journalists to guide them through it.
Raphäl Yem
This process led to the decision to focus on a single topic per episode, explored in depth over 10 to 12 minutes. This editorial choice addresses children’s need to process information at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed. A quiz at the end of each episode reinforces understanding of the material and serves as a great starting point for further discussion with parents.
Similarly, the choice of broadcast and replay platforms was carefully considered for children. Although young viewers enjoy digital content, children aged 7-11 aren’t typically expected to navigate online platforms independently. That’s why Mission Info airs every Sunday morning on France 4. This linear weekend broadcast allows parents to watch alongside their children and continue the conversation afterward. Missed it on Sunday? No problem: replays are available on the secure Okoo kids’ app, Lumni, the France.tv platform, France Info, and YouTube!
The goal is to present current events in a way that resonates with children. The noise of the world is too overwhelming for them. It was time for a collective effort to create such a program.
Myriam Bounafaa
With Mission Info, France Télévisions rises to the challenge of presenting current events to young audiences in an educational and caring way, helping them make sense of the world while shielding them from the pitfalls of social media.
So, see you next Sunday at 11:50 a.m. on France 4 or anytime on Okoo, Lumni, France.tv, France Info, or YouTube!
