Follow Friday: Mobile-First Journalist Glen Mulcahy
Widely considered the godfather of mobile journalism, Glen Mulcahy began the mobile journalism project while head of innovation at RTÉ already a decade ago, leading the evolution in video journalism and mobile content creation.
He chronicled his journey and early developments in the field from 2010 through 2017 at his Mobile and Video Journalism Technology Blog.
Shot on an iPhone 4s and edited with iMovie on an iPad shows demonstrates one of Mulcahy’s early efforts to prove the possibilities available using a mobile phone in 2012.
By 2015, in conjunction with Ireland’s national broadcaster, Mulcahy founded the first international conference dedicated mobile journalism called MojoCon.
While developing the conference which is primarily aimed at journalism professionals, he founded SmartPhotoFest, hosted at the National University of Ireland Galway, a smartphone photography festival aimed at the general public.
Since leaving RTÉ, Mulcahy developed MojoCon into the current independent iteration known as MojoFest. He also established a training, consultancy and productions services company called Titanium Media, allowing him to work with media outlets and training journalists around the world.
One of his recent training efforts included developing some online coursework for the Thomson Foundation, the United Kingdom-based media development organization dedicated to training journalists worldwide. This quick tips video provides an example of the kind of material available from the courses.
Few individuals have driven the growth of mobile journalism as much as Mulcahy. He continues to be a leading voice and advocate.
During the pandemic, Mulcahy hosted the Mobile Creator Summit, a four-week online event with leading mobile filmmakers, journalists, and storytellers.
Here is week one of four available from the full playlist.
This summer, he began the Mobile Creator Podcast with independent mobile filmmaker Courtney Jones. The weekly podcast, available in video and audio formats, focuses on the emerging content creation community using mobile devices, reaching beyond journalism into photography, radio, feature and documentary filmmaking, as well as podcasting.
This latest and final episode from season one features Mobile Moviemaking Magazine founder Murray Suid and Dutch full-time mobile journalist Wyste Vellinga.
To learn more, follow Glen Mulcahy on the following platforms.
Twitter – @GlenBMulcahy
Instagram – @glenmulcahy
Facebook – @GlenMulcahy
MoJo, short for mobile journalism, is redefining the news industry across the globe as journalists increasingly leverage the power, creativity, and technology available with the smartphone to produce and publish media storytelling for distribution across a range of platforms.
This series will highlight reporters leading the field of mobile journalists.
