On Oct. 22, Niagara College’s Journalism program and Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film program partnered with The St. Catharines Standard, The Welland Tribune and The Niagara Falls Review to cover the municipal election. Students participated in producing the NiagaraVotes2018 show that livestreamed across all the news websites.
“I never dreamed I would receive the opportunity to produce a live election show when I first applied to the broadcasting program,” said Jessica Flagg, third-year Broadcasting student producer for the NiagaraVotes2018 show. “It was a rush working in such a high paced environment and our whole crew got a taste of real world experience that will benefit all of us as we move onto our careers in the field.”
Our broadcasting and journalism students have been in the @StCatStandard newsroom all day/night helping to bring live coverage alongside industry pros for the municipal election. Talk about hands-on experience for their #myncstory! #NiagaraVotes2018 pic.twitter.com/mKHWIXvJnc
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) October 23, 2018
Over 25,000 people across the region tuned into the live show.
“Every once in a while we are presented with a unique opportunity and an election show was just that. This was a great collaboration with our Journalism program which allowed both of our programs’ students to put into practice their skills,” said Peter VandenBerg, coordinator of the College’s Broadcasting program. “A production of this scope and complexity really proves that our students are ready for the real world – because this was real world. Their dedication and excellence was inspiring and proves the real mark of a professional. It was my honour to be a part of their crew and work alongside them.”
NC students took on major roles in the live show including producing, directing, interviewing and news presenting, both in studio and in the field. Brett Murray, third-year Broadcasting student, was the director for the NiagaraVotes2018 show.
Victoria also was part of the live show where she talked about the school boards! She did great!
@V_Nicolaou @niagaracollege #myNCstory #NiagaraCollege #PartyLikeAJournalist pic.twitter.com/YW1qD0kRqr
— Niagara News (@niagara_news) October 23, 2018
“This election coverage was definitely a highlight of my time here in the Broadcasting program at NC,” said Murray. “I came to Niagara to gain experience in my field to better prepare me for the professional world, and there really isn’t a better way to gain experience than the real thing.”
“The Broadcast students provided great technical support through camera and sound work. The broadcast quality, from a technical standpoint, was outstanding,” said Angus Scott, editor-in-chief of the Niagara Falls Review, St. Catharines Standard and Welland Tribune. “Students also provided assistance by staffing a social media desk, which supplied information to the main broadcast desk.”
Tala Muhtadi is a second-year Journalism student at NC, and was part of the joint St. Catharines Standard-Niagara College election night news team on Oct. 23. Muhtadi covered female candidates and women in politics during the election.
Some students worked on a social media team with the St. Catharines Standard to hear the opinions of Niagara voters on Twitter.
What are YOUR hopes for regional council? #NiagaraVotes2018
— The St. Catharines Standard (@StCatStandard) October 22, 2018
The partnership is the first of its kind for NC’s Journalism and Broadcasting programs.
“In my time with the BRTF program I’ve had some amazing, real life opportunities and experiences but this past Monday’s election coverage was the most exhilarating,” said Steven Martian, Broadcasting student. “The pace in which information was being collected and presented to the viewer was something that you can’t simulate in a classroom. But it was the ability to be on the ground level, bringing breaking news to the community that will be the biggest thing I take forward with me in my career.”
“I hope and do believe the evening was a valuable learning tool for the students involved. They got to see first-hand the workings of a newsroom on a municipal election night,” said Scott. “Niagara’s election was particularly meaningful this time as there have been many controversies with the outgoing regional council that attracted greater public attention. I think the whole night would have provided students with a greater appreciation of the important work journalists do in a free and democratic society.”
