GETTING ON AIR
CMU program teaches TV news production and reporting
Central Michigan University students learn about producing and reporting news through MHTV (Moore Hall Television) programming.
The MHTV shows, News Central and Central View Live, are part of the CMU College of Arts & Media programs. These shows can act as cocurricular for Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts (BCA) students which allows students to work in the production area of the show for a class, though any CMU student can join the shows as volunteers.
“Any CMU students can participate in the program,” Michael Potter, a program advisor and professor with this 500-level production class, said. “It’s a mix of class and volunteers that are producing the broadcast.”
The news programs were first established in the ‘70s and this fall will mark 45 years of news coverage.
“When I was a journalism student at CMU, I walked past the studio often on my way to and from class,” Potter said. “I wish would’ve known more about it.”
News Central covers campus, local, and regional news in a similar vain to a more serious news programs, while Central View Live covers local events, campus culture, art, music, entertainment, and trending topics.
Students can take on production roles like camera work, writing scripts, video graphic creation, and planning segments among other behind-thescenes jobs or they can audition for an on-camera reporting role.
Lauren Graves, a CMU Masters student and grad assistant with the program, took the class as a undergrad and decided to stay with the program and do more. Graves takes on a lot of different tasks to make sure the anchors are prepared, the graphic details are noted, the timing for segments are on track, and that the crew receives aid when needed among other responsibilities.
“I like story telling and the different aspects of covering stories in a concise way,” Graves said.
Kylie Sczepanski, a sophmore BCA student, is another producer with News Central who is interested in pursuing a career in news after graduation.
“I like how hands-on the program is,” Sczepanski said. “I did the broadcasting program at my high school and it got me out my shell. I want to keeping being in news and maybe be an anchor.”
Jozef Korzeniewski is an on-air re
porter and sophmore BCA student who found out about the program through a bulletin board advertisement.
“I love it,” Korzeniewski. “It’s a great experience for BCA and journalism students and it’s a great building block. I got a lot more on-camera experience and I absolutely love the field.”
Magdalena Barnett, a sophmore BCA student with a journalism minor, is another on-air anchor.
Barnett took the program to help fulfill scholarship provisions.
“I want to be a reporter and the experience has been beneficial for me,” Barnett said. “After school, I’m hoping to find an internship or somewhere to be an anchor.”
Many of the students who participate in this program may some interest from news stations outside of the campus sphere.
“We have a pretty good proven track record,” Potter said. “I get a lot of calls from news directors looking for producers.”
The news shows are live shows that occur every day and can be viewed via livestream or on channel 189 through Spectrum.
“It’s mostly student viewership but there’s a good mix of community members,” Potter said. “It’s a very rewarding program. I love the news and I love teaching and producing with the students.
MHTV also does a variety of other programing, including a Tonight Show-inspired late show among other diverse programming.