Students debate relevance of broadcast media at annual Peace Debate
States Assembly
16 October 2026
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Students from seven of the Island’s secondary schools met in the States Chamber this morning to debate, “Is the BBC and its principle that ‘The Nation shall speak Peace unto Nation’ still relevant in a changing world where social media and citizen journalists compete with its traditional values of broadcasting?”.Now in its 12th year, the Colin Powell Peace Debate, organised annually by the Rotary Club, gives Jersey secondary school students the opportunity to speak in the States Chamber and share their views on a topic linked to current world events. Dedicated to the memory of Rotarian Colin Powell, a humanitarian and advocate for peace, the debate forms part of the Rotary Peace Programme.
The Bailiff, Robert MacRae, presided over the debate and BBC Radio Jersey’s Matthew Price gave the keynote address, followed by presentations from each school on the following themes:
- Beaulieu Convent School: “Beyond the algorithm; why trusted broadcasting still matters.”
- De La Salle College: “The BBC and its principle that ‘Nation shall speak peace unto Nation’ is not relevant in a changing world where social media and citizen journalists compete with its traditional values of broadcasting.”
- Hautlieu School: “Nation shall speak peace unto nation” has never been such an important motto in a world where we can no longer trust what we read or see”.
- Jersey College for Girls: “Trusted, universally accessible journalism can still speak peace to nations”.
- Victoria College: “How nations shall continue to address each other”.
- Les Quennevais School and Grainville School both spoke on this year’s overarching theme from the Rotary Club.
At its conclusion, the Bailiff presented the motion, ‘Social media may be inaccurate and promote conflict, but it is replacing more trusted sources of news such as the BBC’ which was adopted by the students assembled, with 32 votes in favour, 9 against and 2 abstentions.
Kristina Moore from the Rotary Club thanked the students for their contribution and closed proceedings by awarding the Colin Powell trophy for ‘Best Presentation’ to the Jersey College for Girls team.
The debate was enjoyed by the States Members, teachers, friends and family supporting from the Public Gallery. Students were congratulated on their well-researched contributions, thoughtful arguments and confident participation. The Bailiff noted that debates such as this, ‘remain fundamental to a healthy democracy and a peaceful society, and our young debaters have given us every reason to be optimistic about the future.’
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