Department of Broadcasting — Spring 2012

Chair’s Corner…

Hello and welcome to the spring edition of the Department of Broadcasting’s newsletter. There have been some big changes since last fall.

First, NJTV, New Jersey’s public television network, has moved in to our studios and begun producing its nightly news program, NJ Today, from the University’s DuMont Television Center (as was announced last November).

The University serves as the headquarters for the network’s news division, including not only broadcast-studio space but also production facilities and office space. This is an invaluable asset to students. Student interns and recent alums have joined with their production team and began working on NJ Today’s production, from lighting and camera operation to make-up and stage management.

In other exciting developments, in December, Montclair State University’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new School of Communication and Media. The new school will combine existing, high-quality degree programs with new offerings to provide an unparalleled educational experience to students entering this rapidly changing industry.

The Department of Broadcasting, in conjunction with Carpe Diem, The Montclarion and the College of the Arts, recently produced a webcast, Don’t Laugh at Me, about bullying.  Students, faculty and staff were all part of the effort to provide a platform for bullying victims to be heard and also to hear from people who are doing something about it, such as Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. Watch the program.

This semester, the department is offering a special studies course, Mastering the Remote Truck, to introduce students to the fundamental principles of producing live or live-to-tape television programs from a remote location employing a remote truck. The course will be taught by Steve Fastook, vice president of technical and commercial operations for CNBC, and Patty Fastook, senior producer in charge of global programming for CNBC.com.

In addition, the department’s study abroad program in Florence, Italy, will run from May-June 2012.

Dr. David Sanders,
Chair

Journalists Provide Insights into Reporting on Scandals

In the wake of recent stories that have rocked college sports, most notably the Penn State sex-abuse scandal, three accomplished journalists gave Montclair State University broadcasting students firsthand insights into the challenges and ethical quandaries they’ve faced as reporters during a panel program at the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center on February 15. Aditi Kinkhabwala of The Wall Street Journal, Steve Politi of The Star-Ledger, and Tom Rinaldi of ESPN each emphasized the critical need to be cautious and diligent in covering such explosive stories. Each warned of the dangers in the rush to be first, rather than right-especially in stories that ignite major news cycles. The program, “Covering College Sports in the Age of Controversy,” was the latest collaboration between the Museum and the Department of Broadcasting. Moderated by Assistant Professor Marc Rosenweig, the discussion was taped by the students for two editions of the department’s public affairs program, Carpe Diem.

Broadcasting Students Produce American Eagle Awards Program

This past spring, Broadcasting Department chair David Sanders once again produced the National Music Council’s American Eagle Awards and Leadership in Music Symposium.  The event provided a select group of Montclair State University broadcasting students the opportunity to work with and interview music and entertainment industry leaders as they gathered to honor Cuban-American jazz star Paquito D’Rivera, legendary pop producer Nile Rodgers (Madonna, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Chic), and folk icon Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul & Mary) at the Council’s 30th annual awards luncheon at New York City’s Edison Ballroom.