Are European journalists an endangered species? Blink investigates.

Backstage: Prestigious Journalism Prize

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/15293508/j001-0029-en.srt

Today we're going to shadow  50 young European journalists.

Hello Aoife.  What's on your agenda for today?

Today? The participants are going  to look at the European journalism prize,

and then they are going  to participate in panel debates.

One asks if journalists are an endangered  species, while a second debate asks if

the EU institutions are crowding out  the real reporters in Brussels.

Let's check out the  Parliament's prize for journalism.

Hey, that's scary!  There are posters everywhere.

Are European journalists  an endangered species?

Phew, here they are.  Journalists from the 27 Member States.

It's hard for them to cover Europe  in their countries.

Each year the Parliament  awards prizes to encourage them.

There are prizes for  press, radio, internet and TV journalists.

We're going to meet the winner of the TV  award who wants to launch Euforia,

a fun programme on the EU  for young people.

The history of the European Union  is a never-ending...

This prize is for experienced journalists,  not junior hacks like me.

I am not as young as you,  but I am still in good shape.

I think that a young journalist  can achieve everything.

The EU is complex but if young journalists  use their common sense,

they can understand  and solve everything.

You need to take things easy, not too  seriously - a relaxed approach is best.

These young journalists have got  their thinking caps on

for this debate  held with experts on Europe.

Why are the numbers of journalists  going down in Brussels?

They think that:  1) Europe is complex, so it's hard to cover

2) the media is not interested in Europe

3) the EU informs the public directly  and does without journalists.

So I'm not a real journalist then?  Jason.

You have the potential to be  a fantastic journalist

You look professional  with your camera and your gear.

In a few years  you’ll be a great journalist.

So Jason,  how do you become a great journalist?

So if I do a story on the EU  I am not going to only talk to officials,

but also speak to people outside of the  institutions to hear what they have to say.

OK, next a short interview with Jerzy  Buzek and I'll see you outside.

Young journalists are worried that  they might be an endangered species.

No they're not  an endangered species at all.

They are a species that supports us a lot

For you as journalists,  it is always important to understand

that some decisions  could be fruitful for the future.

But does that mean we can ask  provocative questions?

Well, I think it is good for public opinion

because people like  something provocative -

of course not too much  and not senselessly.