Sinking Ship Unveils Kids’ Media Literacy Series

TELUS independent, a pilot feature doc and limited series program funded by TELUS Communications, has greenlit Sinking Ship Entertainment’s Media Stamped, a kids’ media literacy series.

Hosted by creator and writer Nicole Stamp, each episode of Media Stamped will serve as an educational guide to teach kids how to analyze media content with a critical eye. Stamp will explore media bias and discuss how to identify fake news across TV, film, news and social media.

The series is set to begin production later this spring. International advocacy organization Global Citizen is on board to executive produce. The Shaw Rocket Fund is providing backing for the series. Sinking Ship will distribute the series internationally.

Stamp has worked as a host, director and/or writer on many series. She served as all three on ten seasons of TVOKids. She has also written for The Snoopy Show, hosted the game show Reach for the Top and written and directed Lockdown. She has also acted, appearing in series such as Hudson and Rex, The Handmaid’s Tale and Locke and Key. As a director, she has helmed episodes of The Popularity Papers, Odd Squad, Family Feud Canada, The Fabulous Show with Fay & Fluffy and Blue’s Clues and You.

“By age 10, a modern kid has seen more news media than most world leaders in history encountered in their entire lives,” Stamp said. “It’s just so much content, and it can be challenging to know what to trust. As adults, sometimes it seems like our only defense is to turn off the screens—but I see that as putting a fence around the pool. What I think we need to do is teach kids how to swim! I’m so honored to partner with TELUS independent, Global Citizen and Sinking Ship Entertainment to start these important conversations!”

Christina Willings, senior program manager of TELUS independent, said, “TELUS independent is thrilled to partner with Sinking Ship Entertainment to produce this vital children’s content. TELUS takes seriously our commitment to equipping the next generation to navigate the world they will inherit, to identify bias, disinformation and dangerous misdirection in an increasingly complex media environment and to do so with humor and compassion.”

“We are proud to partner with Sinking Ship Entertainment on Media Stamped, a unique entertainment program that will help global citizens educate and equip their children to navigate a complex and fractured media environment,” added Lee Rolontz, global head of broadcast and original content at Global Citizen. “Fair and balanced journalism is a key pillar of a healthy, democratic society, and empowering the next generation of global citizens with media literacy skills to discern the information they receive is essential to the future of our world.”