For better or worse "UAF Weekly News" is on a roll.  Literally.

University of Alaska Fairbanks' very own student news broadcast is taped every Friday afternoon and then played on KSUA TV, mistakes and glitches included.

This method, known as "taped as live," is used to simulate the intensity of producing a live newscast.  It translates into a healthy dose of stress for everyone involved.

Those most directly involved are the five journalism students in Professor Charles Fedullo's Advanced Television News Production class.  Every week they head out, camera in hand, to gather news stories around the campus.  During the newscast their efforts are combined and the results sent to KSUA TV to be broadcast nightly at 6 p.m. on Channel 21.   

Fedullo, who has worked for years in the television news industry as both an anchor and news director, says producing a newscast has huge benefits for journalism students.  "You can't be prepared for broadcast journalism unless you've done it," he said.  Students outside the journalism department are also expected to benefit from a television newscast that focuses on campus news.

UAF had a regular newscast about eight to 10 years ago called "UAF This Week", but not much had been done since according to Fedullo.  "UAF Weekly News" is currently in its second semester

Between two and four student volunteers regularly help out with the newscast.  Normally a newscast the size of "UAF Weekly News" would need at least nine people to fill each position.  On a good day about seven or eight show up for the taping. On a bad day, nerves and limbs are maxed out as a VHS tape mercilessly records every mistake.

"It takes some really dedicated people," said Fedullo of those involved.

The show consists primarily of campus news, local events, and UAF athletics.  The two primary anchors, Susan Steinnerd and Charlie Sokaitis, each focus on what fits their career paths the most. 

"I want to be working at some aspect of ESPN by the time I'm 30," said Sokaitis, "ESPN is always the goal for sports anchors."  Sokaitis devotes his efforts to covering UAF sports during his portion of the newscast.

Steinnerd's career in news broadcasting is already underway.  She currently works for the Fairbanks NBC affiliate Channel 11's news program.  Drawing upon her experience, Steinnerd says that she tries to find material that will inform and appeal to UAF students. 

The entire newscast depends upon the cooperation of the journalism department and the Center for Academic Technology.  Video cameras are provided by the journalism department, along with student participants.  The studio equipment is housed deep in the bowels of the Rasmuson Library and protected by what is often a maze of hallways to the uninitiated.  The current studio was put together by the efforts of last semester's newscast participants and staff from the technology center.  Those staff members also provide crucial technical expertise.

So far no major efforts have been made to advertise the newscast and its broadcast times, although occasional announcements are made on the KSUA radio station.  Even though the newscast airs on KSUA TV every night, there is little awareness on campus that the show even exists. 

"I don't remember it," said Rich Busch.  However, Busch did feel that a newscast could be useful, especially if it covered student government.  "I could learn a lot more of what's on campus instead of though flyers and rumors," Busch said.

Kristina Derrickson recalled occasionally watching KSUA TV, but had no memories of "UAF Weekly News".  She did say that she would be interested in coverage of popular student activities like broomball.

Despite the low profile of  "UAF Weekly News" past participants feel the class was worth their time and energy. 

"It was a very practical class for me to take," said UAF alumnus Sharice Walker.  She recalled that at first it was a rough learning experience.  "Its pretty uncomfortable watching yourself on TV," she said.  Walker now works as a news anchor for Channel 13 News in Fairbanks.

Another UAF alumnus, Curt Merrill, feels that even though he isn't currently in broadcast journalism, he benefited from the class.  "The process itself is the same anywhere," said Merrill who is an associate producer for CNN.com based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Long-term plans for "UAF Weekly News" are optimistic.  "I'd like within five years to have it on the commercial stations," said Fedullo.  Students involved with the newscast might even make some money if a commercial station bought the show, though Fedullo said it wouldn't be more than "pizza money." 

Pocket change aside, broadcasting a student newscast to a commercial audience would be a major feat.  However Fedullo remains realistic. "We're not there yet."

Editor's note: Laura Lowdermilk is a Broadcast Journalism major.  She regularly volunteers for the "UAF Weekly News" broadcasts.

Anchors Charlie Sokaitis and Susan Steinnerd prepare for a taping of "UAF Weekly News" with the help of floor director Kelsa Shilanski and camerawoman Laura Lowdermilk. The newscast airs on KSUA-TV.
Photo by Dani Carlson/ Special to the Sun Star

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