About Town: Getting euphoric about U-phoria

2009/08/08

On Aug 1, a pioneering team of 22 creative mobile journalists (MoJos), aged between 18 and 26 years, pumped up the volume as they got together at Balai Berita, Kuala Lumpur to launch its first youth WAP site.

Called U-phoria, and launched under the aegis of the youth development programme initiated by the New Straits Times, this new mobile site embodies the spirit of “young Malaysia”, and provides a platform for youngsters under 30 years old to interact, contribute and exchange information, and air opinions on a host of topics pertinent to their lives.

In the 10-week process that saw the birth and growth of U-phoria, NST’s young MoJos, under the guidance of young journalists who acted as mentors, set about fashioning and creating content that is intrinsically for the youth, by the youth, and of the youth.

Though they came from different backgrounds — undergraduates, lecturers, environmentalists, designers, technical consultants, among others — they banded together to write for a medium that is in the vanguard of the new media revolution.

With content presented under five categories, U-phoria runs the gamut of the youth experience:

From Our Desk offers youth perspectives on “news in the news”. Our Say debates hot issues, giving young Malaysians a voice.

(Front row from left) MoJos Gnana, Aneesha, Uma, Priya, Viki, Sharmila, Tarsha and John. (Back row from left)Cassandra, Kavitha, Syn Dee, Jemma, Sabin and Suria

In the News discusses current news, entertainment, sports and celebrity gossip while Columns focuses on self-expression. Movin’ Up looks at education, careers and campus life (in EduHub).

For the latest on scientific and technological discoveries, there is Unearthed. And Grow gives tips on career enhancement and financial management.

Campus Life offers adjustment tips and recipes for quick meals that students can whip up even with their busy college schedules. Chillin’ Out has cool stuff on fine fare at affordable prices, reviews of new movies, audio releases and books, jokes, anime news and horoscopes.

CyberSpace contains YouTube video clip choices and websites of interest. Life’s Delights offers fashion and beauty tips, happenings, hobbies, D.I.Y, games and recreation, best buys and blogshops.

Bon Voyage hosts a travel advisory and directory of domestic transportation services, and features choice local and overseas destinations.

If you ask the MoJos what’s special about this site, they would all, like Chuah Syn Dee, say, “It’s very cool. We get updates on the phone which we carry everywhere so it is accessible at any time, and you don’t have to log online and wait for information.”

Kavitha Gopala Krishnan adds: “U-phoria is an arena for youth to express their thoughts and speak their mind. It’s the content that makes it special.

“You can relate to the site as the stories are written by youth for youth. And the writers are from different ethnic, religious and educational backgrounds. So, that adds to the perspectives given. The value in this WAP site is that the information is constantly updated.”

Sabin Ann Thomas, from Klang, agrees. “I hope the youth will give U-phoria a chance and try it out. The site is well organised, and allows us to choose what we like, and has a good balance of information. It caters to the various needs of the youth.”

It’s a sentiment her friend and fellow MoJo Sharmila Naidu shares. “This site is one of a kind. It has no limits and constraints. The information is not censored and you can discuss sensitive issues, such as sex education, freely... and of course, responsibly.

“And if I needed a movie review for instance, I can easily get it on my phone and would know if the movie is worth watching.”

Syn Dee is also quick to point out, “The site is very useful, has a nice design and is simple to use. The information there covers a lot of things you don’t get in the newspapers.”

It’s information at your fingertips. So just pick up your mobile phone and surf http://u-phoria.nst.com.my to feel the pulse of the nation.

The good news... there’s no subscription fee. And if you get the urge to say your piece, you can leave a comment on the articles presented. If you are interested in being part of NST’s team of MoJos, just call 03-2056-9615 (Zarina or Kanchana) for details of the youth development programme or email your particulars and queries to maryc@nstp.com.my.

It doesn’t matter if you are currently pursuing a degree or diploma or working a nine-to-five job. As long as you are between 17 and 29, and love writing or want to write, join us and be a U-phorian!