Transitions Times: Louise Holden has tips on campaigning journalism in our cut-out SchoolMag guide.

Rightly or wrongly, the media has the power to bring about change. Often one dogged journalist gets his teeth into an issue and stays with it until people start listening. Sometimes an entire publication takes a political or social stand, implicitly or explicitly, in an attempt to push its readers towards a particular point of view. It may be to do with immigration, fox-hunting or the death penality.

On a smaller scale, a dedicated journalist can raise awareness of an issue that might otherwise be overlooked. Over the centuries conscientious journalists have helped to bring about change in areas of public interest that government, business and other interests were reluctant to address. A local issue can become big news if a journalist or publication is committed to bringing about change.

If there is an issue in your school or community that you would like to push into the spotlight, why not use your school magazine? Whether it's unfair uniform regulations, bullying, lack of local amenities or racism, bring it to the attention of your readers and get people talking. Here are some points to consider if you decide to use your magazine to campaign for change.