The Goal:
Throughout a seven-month course, students will be able to learn the field of broadcasting from every spectrum. The educational process will encourage students to learn more about the world they live in and translate that information from their point of view.
Students will have the opportunity to explore the ever growing and ever popular field of broadcasting. Today, many students prefer the fast paced, heavy graphic, music-laden style of broadcasting. The teen newscast will open their minds to the importance of the ethics and values of true journalism. ABC 2 wishes to instill those values within the students and prepare a foundation for future broadcast journalists. Throughout this project, students will learn how to determine what “news” is and how to provide news for the area’s demographics. Emphasis will be primarily placed on writing, editing and to a lesser extent production and on air presentation.

The Process:
Twelve students between the 10th and 12th grades will meet on Saturdays to learn the production process of a newscast. Students will be recruited from both local private and public school systems. The class will meet on Saturdays in the station’s newsroom. A coordinator will oversee their weekly process (class does not meet every Saturday). During the sessions, students will be introduced to journalism and basic news writing skills.
In order to participate, students will have to go through an intricate application process. Students will have to provide: a completed application; 3 letters of recommendation; maintain at least a 2.8 GPA; provide 2 writing samples; and a personal essay. The finalists will go through a “job interview” process with WMAR-TV staff. WMAR-TV will make the final decision on the 12 students. The application process is intended to be competitive to extract students who lack commitment.
In order to participate, students must maintain a 2.8 GPA throughout the course of the project.

The Project:
The students will produce a show that will air on the 4th Saturday of the month. Students will discuss the latest in local and national news as well as pursue stories within their own interest.
The students will also participate in regularly scheduled seminars by staff members and local dignitaries. Some of the seminar topics will include: Avid editing, general assignment reporting, news editing, graphics, promotions and public affairs. Invited guests will include elected officials, entrepreneurs and local athletes.

The Production:
The newscast will be a 30 minute show airing Saturday afternoons in a yet to be determined time slot. WMAR-TV will provide the teen newscast with a director and all of its technical assistance. Staff will also be on hand for shooting and editing packages. Students will write all the stories that will be edited by the student coordinator before the stories are allowed to air.