New Orleans (Nov. 15, 2012) -The first regularly scheduled student television newscast from the School of Mass Communication is airing this week and next on New Orleans Access Television, on cable Ch. 4 in student dorms and other campus buildings, and online through the university website.
The show from WDUT, formerly known as DU-TV, is one of two planned for this semester, with another two set for spring 2013 through MAC332 Electronic Newsgathering and MAC330 Basic Electronic Newsgathering, respectively, according to Janella Newsome, visiting assistant professor. While the newscasts are grounded in the two courses, mass communication student volunteers also are accepted.
The 30-minute newscast is being aired four times both weeks on various NOATV channels. You can still catch it this week at 4 p.m. Saturday on Ch. 76. Next week’s schedule includes showings at 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday, Ch. 99; 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Ch. 76; and 4 p.m. Saturday, Ch. 76.
The show covers both hard and soft news and some sports. Topics include the controversy over ending Crescent City connection tolls; the HBO “Treme” series; campus construction; Ariel Mitchell, former Dillard basketball player, joining the Harlem Globetrotters; nursing’s 70th anniversary; the “Two Trains Running” play; and Homecoming.
In addition to technical assistance from media technician Mark Raymond, Newsome also enlisted some professional colleagues from area stations to help prepare the students.
Students are preparing news packages for the second newscast, which is scheduled to be complete by the end of November, Newsome said.
“This newscast should be easier for the students since they have practiced,” she added.
