“The current generation has grown up in an ecosystem of social media such as TikTok and Instagram. News is readily available there, mixed in with entertainment. To break this habit, offering the product for free is a necessary first step. Young people need to become aware of the limitations of their current news consumption. At the moment, an algorithm primarily designed to hold their attention determines what they see. With this initiative, DPG Media can help young people regain control of their news consumption, returning autonomy to the user.”

“Over four years now, I’ve been bringing news tailored to young audiences on TikTok. When they approach me in the street, I notice how strong their appetite for news is. Just as often, they tell me that the paywall in news apps is a real barrier for them. We want to remove that barrier. Social media are fantastic channels to reach young people, but unfortunately they’re also places where fake news spreads rapidly. Research shows that young people find it difficult to distinguish real from fake. Now they have direct access to high-quality, reliable journalism. I believe that well-informed young people become not only smarter, but also stronger and more critical.”

“As a student, reliable news isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. The constant changes in the world have a direct impact on my studies and my daily life. I consume news in different ways: quickly, through updates on social media, and in-depth, through traditional newspapers and TV news. I am very alert to fake news and only rely on established sources. The free student subscription is crucial for me: it ensures that I’m always thoroughly and reliably informed. This allows me to engage with news even more consciously.”

“We’re very pleased with this initiative. Not only because we’ve traditionally been a student newspaper, but above all because it’s vital for democracy that young people have access to reliable information.”

Access to all titles

Students can obtain their free subscription using their student ID. Once they subscribe to one news title, they gain digital access to all DPG Media news brands. In the Netherlands, these are de Volkskrant, AD, Trouw, Het Parool, BN DeStem, Brabants Dagblad, ED, De Gelderlander, PZC, de Stentor and Tubantia. In Belgium, they are HLN/Het Laatste Nieuws and De Morgen. The subscription remains active for the duration of their studies.

“My research shows that young people are once again becoming interested in news about societal issues, but they tend to lose that interest because of how the news is presented. Young audiences want less focus on what goes wrong, more attention to possible solutions and perspectives, and above all stories in which they recognise themselves and their world.”