Television journalism students are tackling new technological twists this semester with Newsbreak, the broadcast news program run by the U Department of Communication.
Newsbreak is produced by two separate but equally involved courses: Communication 3570-the course that shares its name, Newsbreak, with the news program-and the television journalism class, Communication 4520. Both work together directly to deliver U news, available on demand at www.newsbreak.utah.edu.
The television journalism class, also called “TV-J,” writes the stories, reports and compiles packages, while the Newsbreak class works on the technical end, providing tech support and digital editing.
The classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and each performs its role to create a substantial news program.
This year, Newsbreak has not only caught up in technology, but has surpassed many student and faculty expectations.
Scott Snow, a senior mass communication major, took TV-J last year and is currently enrolled in the Newsbreak course.
(The classes are) “ahead of some TV stations. All of the editing and packages are done digitally,” he said. “The class is definitely preparing me for what other stations will begin to do.”
The Newsbreak team will also produce a Podcast, “uPod,” available to subscribers, directly from the Newsbreak Web site. The first Podcast will be taped Friday.
Many faculty and students view Newsbreak-and its constituent classes-as an asset to the communication department and its students.
“I love it. I think it’s awesome, and I have learned a lot,” Snow said.
Ron Yaros directed the classes for three semesters, and much of the new advancements are a result of his expertise in new media.
Yaros said that both the classes and the advancement of the media are crucial.
“It’s always changing. In the world we call ‘convergence,’ it’s important to know what technology is doing in our lives and to our lives-what information we are choosing,” he said.
Yaros will not be teaching the courses next semester, but he will be teaching a new course he designed titled “New Media.” Former KSL reporter Louise Degn will then lead Newsbreak.
Although Yaros will not be teaching the classes after this semester, he predicts more change to come.
“There is a big priority on new media. The need to bring TV journalism up to speed and to update the curriculum will continue,” he said.
The first Newsbreak show will air Sept. 19 on Channel 9.
For more information on Newsbreak, visit www.newsbreak.utah.edu.