Journalism and radio-television students from the Nicholson School of Communication are partnering to offer full Central Florida Election Day coverage of the 2012 Presidential and local elections for the first time in UCF history.
Dozens of print and broadcast student reporters will be covering voting locations in Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia counties from 8:30 a.m. through 8:30 p.m. Up-to-date coverage will post hourly on the Knightly News website (http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/knightly_news/) and a full online newscast will air at 4:00 p.m.
Today’s election coverage is groundbreaking not only because it is the first time in UCF history this has been done, but also because coverage is in English and Spanish. Radio-television instructor, Katie Coronado, shares that this is the first time these students are involved in an election as reporters, “Print journalism and radio-television students are working together to write, produce and present what’s happening during the election. They are focusing mainly on our local government elections and keeping the community informed in both English and Spanish.”
Chelsie Sloan, executive producer of the election special, is excited about students coming together, “This is a great time for UCF journalism students. So many people from different classes are all working together and getting real world experience.”
Journalism associate professor, Steve Collins, echoes Sloan’s excitement stating, “This is just a fantastic opportunity to get students out in the real world, get them excited about journalism and let them produce meaningful stories.”
The webcast and hourly web updates are available at http://www.nicholsonstudentmedia.com/knightly_news/ under the Elections tab. You can also follow Knightly News on Twitter at @ucfknightlynews.