Communiqué
WOUB NewsWatch Wins Second Award for Special Episode
< < Back toSexual Assault program aired in September 2018
ATHENS, OH – The WOUB Public Media Newsroom has received more recognition for a special September 2018 episode of WOUB TV’s Newswatch centered around the sexual assault issues that were impacting the Ohio University campus. The program earned a 3rd place award from the 2019 College Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) National Student Production Awards in the Best Newscast (Video) category.
“This news special was created to address the Athens community’s response to the reports of sexual assaults on and around Ohio University’s campus,” said WOUB News Editor-in-Chief Allison Hunter. “The WOUB News Media Lab team worked hard to report beyond the data; they talked with a rape survivor, students, local authorities, business leaders and a nurse examiner to demystify the rape kit procedure. Through the production process students learned how to address important issues with sensitivity.”
The 2019 CBI National Student Production Award winners were announced at the 2019 National Student Electronic Media Convention in St. Louis, Mo. WOUB’s Gridiron Glory was also recognized.
Hunter and Multimedia Content Editor Atish Baidya advised the group of nine students throughout the production of the special. Hunter said it was great to watch the students learn and grow throughout the process.
“We work hard to guide and encourage our student volunteers to do their best work whenever they are producing stories for our audiences,” said Hunter. And they try so hard, with balancing their classwork and part-time jobs while learning how to be a professional. It’s encouraging to see everyone’s efforts pay off with national recognition.”
Newswatch is a professionally managed and student-produced television news program that airs every weekday at 6:30 p.m. on WOUB-TV covering news from the Ohio University campus as well as the surrounding counties and states. Approximately 50 students from a variety of Ohio University Scripps College of Communication schools work on the program each semester.
“Of course, life isn’t about the awards, and we always want to do the best we can, but it sure is nice to receive a pat on the back every now and then,” said Hunter. “Hopefully this recognition will inspire more students to grow their skills with our news team. We’re accepting another round of volunteers in mid-January.”
Students interested in building their resumé by volunteering at WOUB can attend an informational meeting on Tuesday, January 21 at 5:00 p.m. in the Radio and Television Building on the 3rd floor in Radio Studio A. There are a variety of roles for students at WOUB that span radio, television and online learning about news and sports reporting, weather forecasting, videography, photojournalism, audio engineering and television studio production. For more information contact Hunter at huntera1@ohio.edu or Student Development Director Michael Rodriguez at rodrigum@ohio.edu