A couple of weeks ago there was “breaking news” in Macomb, a story that garnered interest from broadcast stations and viewers across the state.
Cassidy Carpenter and Gary Davis Directing the News
Our newsroom received a tip about the story. At that moment broadcasting students put into action knowledge and skills acquired in their broadcasting classes. A wiutv3 reporter and videographer were the first news people to arrive on the scene of the incident. Back in the wiutv3 newsroom the executive producer was on the phone to the appropriate authorities getting information, checking facts, and keeping in touch with our news crew. Within the first hour a second news crew went out to assist in covering press conferences and talking to eyewitnesses. Although we were not scheduled to begin live broadcasts until next week, the decision was made to go “Live at Four”, our usual timeslot and inform the public on the story.
Dylan Austin and Erin Thurman Anchoring News
In the television control room production crew were designing needed graphics and getting cameras ready to go on the air. The first crew arrived back on campus to edit their footage, get updates, and write copy. During the afternoon, WQAD-TV and KWQC-TV, both out of the Quad Cities, called and asked for our footage to use on their evening newscasts. Arrangements were made to feed the footage to these stations. The Chicago News Service called and our footage was also made available to them. CNN called and our footage was made available to them and to St. Louis television stations.During the course of the afternoon, students wrote copy, confirmed details, shot and edited footage and produced a fifteen minute newscast that aired “Live at Four”.
Eric McGee working audio for newscast
The students did an excellent job of newsgathering, news writing, and reporting that day. The students of wiutv3 served the viewing audience and provided a service to neighboring television stations. The students also learned the importance of being accurate, being timely, and not being sensational in their coverage.
The day after the “breaking news” story there was a final press conference by local officials. Broadcasting students participated in the press conference, asking questions and getting great video to use in that afternoon’s newscast. Again, the executive producer confirmed details, wrote copy and oversaw editing of footage. The day after the incident the wiutv3 news team went on the air again at four and explained to the audience what had happened, using sound bites from local authorities, press conferences, and eyewitness accounts. For two days this week our students demonstrated they are learning well the skills necessary to be in the news business.
