Young journalists tackle the European elections

By Gabrielle Campion, Elaine Canny, Emma Mundy, Robert Tuomey and Orla Walsh.

TWENTY FIVE young Irish adults are taking part in a new initiative to encourage the youth of Ireland to use their vote. Irish Youth Media Development has teamed up with European Movement Ireland to bring a fresh outlook to the coverage of the European elections: “We want new, fresh, bright faces to bring a youth perspective on the elections,” revealed Andrea Pappin, Executive Director of European Movement Ireland.

The 25 young people represent the five constituencies for the European Elections, which take place on 5 June 2009. After taking part in a two day intensive training course at Google's European head office in Dublin this week, the student journalists will now report on the election campaign for their local areas.

“In most political coverage you generally don't get the youth perspective... We're hoping to open up a brand new dimension,” said Siobhan Gavin, Project Manager of the Youth Media for Europe initiative. Marian Creely, one of the founders of Irish Youth Media Development, approached European Movement Ireland in January this year with the youth media project. Andrea Pappin said: “Here at European Movement Ireland we're about the real facts, there are a lot of myths about Europe, they make great headlines but they're not true. These young people are going to be a new voice on Europe, the European elections may not seem exciting but that doesn't mean they're not important.”

Each week the youth reporters will upload blogs, videos and photographs in an effort to use new media in order to raise awareness of the European Elections.Work from each constituency will feature on the RTE website weekly. Reporting for the North West Constituency are: Gabrielle Campion, Elaine Canny, Emma Mundy, Robert Tuomey and Orla Walsh.