 "Photo: May-Ying Lam")
The UT School of Journalism is one of five journalism schools opening an ABC News bureau this year.
The network is launching ABC News on Campus this month in an effort to connect with 33 million untapped viewers between the ages of 18 and 24. Stories will be chosen and produced entirely by UT bureau staff.
"We want to make news more interesting and inviting for students our age," said Sara Loeffelholz, a journalism senior and UT bureau chief.
ABC News looked at universities across the country and decided on five that not only had stellar journalism programs but were located in cities that might not have the same exposure as larger markets, said broadcast journalism lecturer and UT bureau adviser Kate Dawson. Before coming to UT in 2006, Dawson spent 14 years in broadcast news, working at Fox News, WCBS-TV in New York City and ABC News Radio.
"[The bureau] gives students an opportunity, particularly non-journalism students, to pitch story ideas that could end up in front of a national audience," Dawson said.
Loeffelholz said the goal of the ABC News bureau is to incorporate ideas from students across campus.
"It's important for non-journalism students to get involved because we're on campus and want to cover issues that affect all students, not just the four journalism students that work at the bureau," Loeffelholz said.
Stories may air on any of ABC News' various platforms, including "Good Morning America," "Nightline," mtvU, radio and online.
"These college digital bureaus will extend the news-gathering reach of ABC News throughout the country," said ABC News President David Westin. "In addition, they will enable us to nurture bright young journalism students, giving them hands-on training from some of the most seasoned news professionals in the business."
Dawson said the bureau's computers, video cameras, LCD screens and other broadcast and digital equipment are primarily funded by ABC News with some help from the University.
"UT's goal is to really foster the education of these young journalism students and encourage all students across campus to really think about their lives around them and share it with their peers," Dawson said. "Some of the best story ideas we're going to get come from outside the journalism school."
The other four ABC News bureaus will be hosted by journalism schools at Arizona State University, Syracuse University, the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Story ideas can be sent to texas@abcnewsoncampus.com.
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