Part of the Media Madness

24 Jan 2012 1 Comment

by Alex McClain in Culture, politics Tags: Cover it Live, Florida Times Union, Jacksonville Fl., Jacksonville.com, Political debate at UNF, Republican Debate 2012, University of North Florida

Although I’m not a big fan of politics, I can’t help but be excited about the up and coming Republican debate being hosted at my university.  The University of North Florida is hosting the Republican debate. Considering how far behind I feel Jacksonville is socially speaking, to have the presidential debate here is a pretty big deal. Little old Jacksonville. I haven’t been this excited for my city since the Super Bowl came here in 2005.

Not only is my university hosting the debate (right in my own backyard so to speak), but as part of a journalism class I’m taking, I will be participating in a live blog feed called “Cover it Live” the day of the debate, for Jacksonville’s local newspaper the Florida Times Union. The blog feed can be found on their website Jacksonville.com. Throughout the day they will have all kinds of post related to the debate. It will be exciting to see my name posted on their website once my blog has been uploaded. I’m very much excited about the exposure and experience. I’m pretty sure the blog post won’t be limited to just Jacksonville viewers. You never know who’s out there reading your post! Jacksonville.com is  also doing a twitter feed with the hash tag “#JaxDebate”

Not only will I be doing live blogging throughout the day, but I will also be doing podcast on campus, related to the debate. In class we were assigned teams and given stories to go out and cover. The night of the debate we will be uploading our podcast in hopes that it will be good enough to appear on WJCT’s website. Also Friday three to four of our students will be selected to appear on NPR’s “Media Roundtable” segment with Melissa Ross.

I’ve never been a fan of politics but this assignment has gotten me excited and intrigued. I’m excited to be part of the media madness and get some real hands on experience. It’s something different for me, which is okay. Every now and then, even as a writer it never hurts to step outside of your comfort zone. I’m nervous and excited because this is probably the first time the standards have been so high in an assignment. There’s a lot more than my grade on the line. This is an opportunity to create networks with the people who are currently in the position I want to be in. Being a student who wants not only an internship, but a job, it’s important to make a good impression and that my work be at its best. This could open the door for other opportunities.

I will probably post a link for the live blog feed as well as my final podcast for the debate. If you have a chance to visit Jacksonville.com that day look out for my name: Alexandra McClain

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