Fueling the Fourth Estate

Life as a journalism student is packed with excitement and unpredictability — and that is a big part of its appeal.

Anissa Carby, for example, carries out duties at the FAMU TV-20 news station and FAMU’s on-campus radio station all while tackling a full course load. Starting her days around 9 a.m. and ending then at about 7 p.m., Carby is preparing herself for her intended career.

FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications (SJGC) is one of the nation’s top HBCU journalism and mass communications programs. Established in 1982, SJGC offers challenging programs that invite exceptional student success. SJGC is the first program of its kind at an HBCU to obtain national accreditation.

↑ A behind-the-scenes look at TV-20. Students manage camera operations, work in the control room and serve as on-air talent. Photo courtesy of FAMU SJGC

As journalism majors, students gain on-air television and radio experience. The J-School also offers a public relations track in which students develop skills in social media communication and writing pitch letters, press releases, speeches and more. Graphic design majors create concepts as freehand artists and by using specialized software. Students of the school contribute stories to campus publications. 

At SJGC, students develop the ability to produce and present content using multiple media and learn to represent themselves as journalists. The curriculum at SJGC exposes students to different writing styles, video shooting and editing, the use of Adobe software and other tools relied upon by journalists.

Of incalculable value are the networking opportunities with alumni, media professionals and news organizations that the school provides.

FAMU TV-20 has made its mark on campus and in the greater Tallahassee community. The educational channel reaches about 80,000 North Florida households. It airs student-run news programming every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and also broadcasts football and basketball games, graduation ceremonies, convocations, concerts and interviews with celebrity guests.

At TV-20, students experience the equivalent of an actual newsroom. They manage camera operations and work in the control room. They also serve as on-air talent. The station performs (most of the time) like a well-oiled machine and gives valuable skills to students who want to pursue a career in journalism.

Edward Thomas, the director at FAMU TV-20, has been working with the radio station and TV station since 2020.

TV-20 director Edward Thomas (black polo) is pictured above. Photo courtesy of FAMU SJGC

“It’s a real joy to be able to come down here and see the students work on all of the skills they need to implement,” Thomas said. “They are working on the very things that they will have to do to succeed when they go from the classroom and the laboratory to the real deal out in the field.”

Many alumni have benefited from their J-School experience at FAMU. The familiar sidelines and courtside sports commentator Pam Oliver has been with FOX Sports since 1995.

“Armed with respect and esteem, her straightforward and open interviewing style consistently produces topical and substantive reports,” the network says about Oliver.

↑ FAMU alumna Beyla Walker, a reporter and anchor with Grey Television, speaks to SJGC students while visiting with the Atlanta-based broadcast company. Photo courtesy of FAMU SJGC

Alum Beyla Walker used skills acquired at SJGC to make an impact in the world of journalism straight out of college.

A talented multimedia journalist, Walker was the TV-20 anchor for the fall 2022 semester. Upon graduating from FAMU, Walker secured a job with Atlanta-based Gray Television.

“Skills I learned at SJGC are skills that I use every day on the job,” Walker said. “Even though I’m not a producer, I know how shows should be structured, so I’m able to give input during our afternoon meetings. Everything I learned comes in handy at some point.”

She advises students to be prepared to climb the ladder at school or at places of work.

“Don’t be afraid to start small and work your way up,” Walker said. “I started out volunteering as a camerawoman and ended up anchoring after a semester or two. All it takes is one gateway to open you up to more opportunities.”

Radio station WANM 90.5 operates 24 hours a day, broadcasting from FAMU to a large and diverse audience comprising high school and college students, as well as members of the Tallahassee community. It offers sports and lifestyle content and music in genres including gospel, R&B, hip-hop, jazz and reggae. Student-led 90.5 teaches public speaking skills, communication and audio production.

FAMU’s award-winning campus radio station, WANM-FM 90.5 The Flava Station, is staffed by over 50 student workers and volunteers who program and manage daily operations. Photo courtesy of FAMU SJGC

Journey magazine and The FAMUAN are publications at FAMU. They allow students the freedom to voice their opinions on topics affecting them and the Tallahassee community and to write stories and commentary related to fashion, photography, design, art and more. Journey is focused more pointedly on the black experience.

The FAMUAN was established in 1919, is managed by SJGC students and endeavors to cover all sides of an issue. Its content ranges from news and sports to lifestyle and opinion pieces.

All SJGC programs provide platforms for students to engage with their community and report on consequential stories that may highlight a student-run business, promote voter registration, encourage gun safety or detail decisions made at a City Commission meeting.

Being a dedicated journalist is not always easy; it takes hard work and determination. SJGC is equipping students with all the tools they need to interpret and deliver the world to readers, listeners and viewers.

Kaila Priester is a senior journalism student at Florida A&M University.