For any questions concerning the European Youth Media Days please don't hesitate to contact us at press@youthmediadays.eu or see more press contacts here. We are looking forward to getting in contact with you.

» A toolkit with EYMD logos, press photos and web banners can be downloaded here.
» Various news texts on the EYMD 2008 to be spread among young journalists, universities, media etc. can be found here.

» Register for reporting from the European Youth Media Days here.
» The Press Service of the European Parliament can be contacted here.

» DOWNLOAD ENGLISH PRESS RELEASE AS PDF-FILE, AS WORD-FILE

New media, open minds, challenging ideas. From October 15th to 17th 2008, the next generation of European journalists met in the European Parliament in Brussels for the second European Youth Media Days. The media produced in 16 workshops is available online at www.youthmediadays.eu.

Brussels, 17 October 2008 – The second European Media Days have shown that European journalism is possible. 200 young journalists from all EU member states spent three days of creating media, exchanging ideas and observing the political life in the European Parliament from 15 to 17 October. The event in Brussels was hosted by the European Parliament and organised with support of the European Youth Press.

"You will be part of creating and shaping the future of European media", said Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, addressing the young journalists. "We need your criticism, your commitment and your enthusiasm."

In his opening speech, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice-President of the European Parliament, decisively supported objective journalism. One should never forget that journalists and politicians don't play in the same team.
Talking to NGO representatives and media experts in the International Press Centre, participants were presented a critical view on journalism in Brussels: Journalists should do more than just deliver messages from politicians and lobbyists. Wilfried Rütten, Director of the European Journalism Centre, declared that only by moving away from a top-down approach to a "Europe of many voices", European issues can be covered in a successful way.

During the event the participants had the opportunity to ask challenging questions, discuss European politics and share ideas about their vision of future European media. In a panel discussion with the chairmen of the political groups in the European Parliament, the young journalists tried to elicit a concrete European dream from the Members of Parliament.

Another main focus of the event was the creation of media in all media fields. In 16 workshops, the participants produced radio interviews, online and print magazines, photo reportages and TV shows. They dealt with topics like food price inflation, immigration policies, the EU elections and freedom of press.

The outcomes of the workshops were displayed in a multimedia presentation on Friday evening. At the Media Night, the journalists also had the opportunity to follow the advice given to them by their experienced colleagues: The key lies in networking. The cooperation with fellow journalists from other countries will help them in assuming their task of objectively reporting and thereby controlling powerful players. 

» DOWNLOAD ENGLISH PRESS RELEASE AS PDF-FILE, AS WORD-FILE

All EYMD press information is  available online at www.youthmediadays.eu. Your contact person for last minute accreditations and any request during the event is Sebastian Erb, e-mail sebastian.erb@youthmediadays.eu, mobile: +32 487 222 786.

New media, open minds, and challenging ideas. From October 15th to 17th, 2008, the first European generation of journalists meets at the European Parliament in Brussels for the second European Youth Media Days. Anyone can be part of the event by following all media productions, live-blogging, video and audio streams and image series live on www.youthmediadays.eu.

Brussels, 13 October 2008 – At the European Youth Media Days (EYMD), 200 young journalists from all 27 EU member states discover the world of European politics. They are provided insights into EU institutions and have   the chance to share their personal ideas about European media. The three-day programme includes various media productions and high-rank political debates. On Wednesday afternoon, after the opening of the event by European Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras, the chairmen of the political groups in the European Parliament meet in a panel to discuss current EU policies – on top of the agenda the worldwide financial crisis –, and their vision of Europe's future.

During the EYMD, the European Parliament Prize for Journalism will be awarded by EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering. The prize is given in four categories (TV, radio, internet, written press) for outstanding contributions clarifying major issues at European level or promoting a better understanding of EU policies. After the ceremony, politicians and journalists further discuss the role of the media in the future European integration process.

On Friday night, the EYMD participants present the media products they created during the event in 16 workshops – TV, radio, print and online. The closing event of the Media Days is open for everyone interested in young European journalism. Afterwards, participants and guests can enjoy the Media Night – a great opportunity for networking and intercultural dialogue at its best.

» DOWNLOAD ENGLISH PRESS RELEASE AS PDF-FILE, AS WORD-FILE

EUROPEAN YOUTH MEDIA DAYS 2008
START ONLINE AT YOUTHMEDIADAYS.EU

New media, open minds and challenging ideas. From 15 to 17 October 2008, the next generation of European journalists meets at the European Parliament in Brussels for the second European Youth Media Days. 200 youngsters from all 27 EU member states, chosen to be the most creative and motivated amongst 1767 high-quality applications, have now been awarded with a place.

Brussels, 6 October 2008 – The European Youth Media Days 2008, to be opened in nine days by European Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras, have started already: The recently selected 200 participants interact, debate and prepare their European media productions in the online community www.youthmediadays.eu. This also enables those who are not able to go to Brussels to stay in touch with their peers and share their thoughts about Europe.

The hands-on workshops for creation of new European media formats –on air, online, and printed – are the core-element of three days EYMD 2008. Complemented by high-ranking-debates and events with the President of the European Parliament, political group chairmen, correspondents, and media professionals from across the continent the EYMD will provide insights into the Brussels sphere of media, culture, and politics. Moreover participants have the chance to share knowledge, improve media skills and gain a unique international experience at the centre of European political life.

All EYMD press information and an accreditation form for journalists is available online at www.youthmediadays.eu.

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LIVE FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT. YOUTH REPORTING.
NEXT GENERATION OF JOURNALISTS MEETS IN BRUSSELS 

From 15 to 17 October 2008, 200 young journalists from across the European Union will gather at the European Youth Media Days for high-ranking debates and hands-on media production. Application until 24 September 2008 at www.youthmediadays.eu. 

Brussels, 4 September 2008 – New media, open minds and challenging ideas. From 15 to 17 October 2008, the next generation of European journalists meets at the European Parliament in Brussels for the second European Youth Media Days. Hosted by the European Parliament and organised with the support of the European Youth Press, the gathering of 200 emerging journalists promotes a broad discussion and networking on European issues, confronting and provoking with diverse perspectives and realities. 

This year's Media Days programme emphasises the need to bridge national borders in media in order to create a European public and political sphere. To meet these aims, participants will discuss with speakers such as European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pöttering, the Chairpersons of the Parliament's political groups, and European media correspondents. 

Young people interested in European media and politics, journalism students or young professionals living in one of the 27 EU countries (or being an EU national abroad) can apply until 24 September 2008 at www.youthmediadays.eu. 

Creators of youth media share their vision of Europe 

On Wednesday evening, 15 October 2008, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice-President of the European Parliament (tbc), Francesca Ratti, Director-General for Communication of the European Parliament (tbc), along with the European Youth Press will open the event. Chairpersons of the Parliament's different political groups will critically debate their visions of the EU’s future, its role in the world and its economical and social policies. Afterwards, young journalists gather with parliamentarians and Brussels based correspondents. Creators of youth media from across the continent share their ideas and approaches on another evening panel. 

Thursday 16 October is the media day, entirely dedicated to hands-on media productions. Ranging from TV to radio, from print to web and photo, participants will work on different themes under the guidance of professional media makers with inputs from Members of the European Parliament. Themes in the workshops will include a wide range of issues and formats such as “The bigger, the better?”, a tabloid on EU enlargement, “Nuclear windmills?”, a controversial TV debate on future energy sources and climate change, “EUROpolitan”, the attempt to create a European women's magazine, or “A Free Press? Truth Hurts”, that will report on the state of freedom of press. 

On Friday, 17 October, young media makers will discover Europe in a day. Initiated with a keynote speech by Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, during the award ceremony of the European Parliament Prize for Journalism, the day will offer insights into the Brussels world of media and politics. During visits to the European Commission, the French EU Council Presidency and the International Press Centre, the EYMD will address issues such as civil liberties and perspectives beyond today’s EU borders. The Media Days will conclude with an interactive, multimedia Media Night, offering a view ahead to the future of European media. 

All information on the European Youth Media Days and the application procedure is available online at www.youthmediadays.eu.