Spain: Méabh Mc Mahon, Europocket reporter

Méabh Mc Mahon is only 24, but she almost single-handedly runs one of the most innovative and intelligent media initiatives on offer for European youth today. Europocket TV may be run out of Valencia in Spain, but thanks to a network of young reporters who work out of Europe?s capitals, Europocket?s antennas reach out beyond the Iberian borders capturing the insights, reflections and experiences of young people of all sorts in Europe today. In 2008 Europocket will be the official media partners of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. What better excuse to find out what really goes on behind Europocket?s cameras?

By traditional media standards you would probably be considered too young for so much responsibility! What experience did you have before you began working for Europocket?
I studied European Studies with the languages German and French in Trinity College Dublin. Since I was at school, I loved journalism and reporting so did work experience at local newspapers. When I was at university, I dedicated a lot of time to the student radio station and writing for student publications. Had my first professional work experience in Spain with a TV production company that produces daily news for the public regional TV station, Channel 9.

You are Irish even though you live in Spain. What made you choose Valencia?
When I graduated from university, I was eager to travel or work abroad or learn a new language so I came to Spain on the Leonardo de Vinci grant. Although I hadn?t a word of Spanish, I picked up the language quite fast and began to feel at home. Whilst on my work experience, I became aware of Europocket TV and minutes after meeting the founders and finding out more about the project, I knew I had found my vocation!

Do you consider yourself Irish or European?
I love Ireland and I feel very much Irish. However, I am part of the Erasmus Generation. Apart from having spent one year in Hamburg on Erasmus, I now live and work in another EU country. These experiences have made me tolerant and open-minded. I have always loved meeting new people and speaking foreign languages so my experiences in other European countries make me very happy and make me want to stay, but my Irish roots will always be there.

Why is Europocket so bent on being European?
There are only around 1000 journalists in Brussels. Most of them report for mainstream media. It?s common to read a regurgitated press release about an EU proposal that is often hard to comprehend or misinterpreted. So young people, quite frankly are not informed about European Affairs. It?s a huge institution that represents 27 countries so it plays a huge role in our lives. So, Europocket TV is an original way to let young people know on what is going on in Brussels. We try to spice the news funny with funny curiosities, movies fashion to ensure the attention spam of the viewer. We broadcast in three languages, as young people today love travelling and learning languages. The aim is to add more.

But can Europocket really contribute towards EU integration?
Europocket broadcasts on the internet and on Ipods and new information technologies. If you have a good internet connection, you can watch it in the South of Sweden or on the Azores Islands. Almost eight in ten students today have their own laptop regardless of the economic situation. They are hooked on their MSN chat, Facebook, BEBO, the social networking site and their personal email. Europocket TV is an extension of all these services. It is an upbeat young Web TV that talks to young people in a colloquial, direct manner. The information is brief and digestible but serious and important. Young people need to know what student grants they can avail of, or who the Presidency of the EU is, or whether their country will hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. In a few decades, it?s the young people who will be calling all the shots so it?s important that we start informing ourselves when we are young. Europocket TV is contributing towards EU integration or at least awareness as it?s reaching out to an audience that the EU doesn?t usually talk to. Imagine a daily objective, critical Europocket News in all the 23 official languages of the EU arriving on the mobile phones of every under 30 year old in the 27 member states of the bloc? Now, that?s what would really help EU integration!

Do you think that it is hard for youth in Europe to find a voice and to be represented in political life?
Every day there are more and more youth groups and associations setting up. Young people are highly educated, speak languages and above all can navigate the web. They can use websites, social networking sites and text messaging to their advantages. They are energetic, can work for hours for little or no pay and are creative. Look at the Scottish Youth Parliament for example; they initiated the smoking ban in Scotland. Or at JEF, the very ambitious federalists who meet frequently to talk about pushing for a free, democratic, united Europe. Obviously, youth can?t change a law but they can nag and nag at politicians till they are heard.

What challenges has Europocket had to face along the way?
Like everything, there were lots of challenges, most were due to understaffing making the daily life challenging. Producing a daily news show is not for the faint-hearted! Although we only create a 5 minute show, it requires a day?s work. Researching themes, selecting topics, writing news items, selecting images, editing videos, uploading videos, spreading the word, public relations etc.

Any tips on how to overcome them?
Well, just hard work I suppose and dedication. As regards tight budget, when I travelled, I always took a mini DV camera with me to cut out extra costs of bringing a camera operator. Being young means I can stay in cheap hostels, eat in cheap restaurants so it was much easier!

Do you find that your peers support you?
Yes, since we started broadcasting Europocket News, we have been in contact with numerous organisations, universities etc. We have had many interns here at Europocket as well as student reporters in the field.

How do 'adults' treat you? Any bad experiences?
Everyone I have met through Europocket TV in person or online has been extremely open to and interested, regardless of their age or status. When I think about it, I have spoken in front of 270 fellow young journalists at the European Youth media Days, in front of 70 over fifty year old politicians in Sweden, in front of 100 young politically active federalists in Copenhagen as well as a handful of local Valencians. I have never been put down, only encouraged. Most people agree that any press they read about the EU institutions is highly boring and see Europocket TV as a breath of fresh air.

What does the future hold in store for Europocket?
Europocket needs a bit more money in its pocket. When it has this, it aspires to stay the only European web TV for young people, add languages and create a network of young reporters in Europe?s capital city.

What will you do when you ?grow up??!
I love Europe and I love reporting on it. I love finding out what?s going on in tiny villages in Bulgaria or having the opportunity to interview people on the street and see them open up to me. I also love comparing European countries; living standards, health systems, crime, drug abuse etc SO, if Europocket for some terrible reason has to close down one day, I would love to stay reporting on European news, preferably for a multi-lingual medium.

Tell us what your usual online haunts are?

• www.euobserver.com
• www.cafebabel.com
• www.euradionantes.eu
• http://fistfulofeuros.net
• www.rebelion.org/
• www.fenetreeuropa.com
• www.courrierinternational.com
• www.europaworld.org/
• www.timothygartonash.com/