WKNC attends National Student Electronic Media Convention

WKNC Program Director Bri Aab and Operations Manager Michael D’Argenio represented N.C. State Student Media at the National Student Electronic Media Convention Oct. 25-27 in Atlanta. Hosted by College Broadcasters, Inc., the convention is the only one dedicated exclusively to the interests of student electronic media outlets, including student radio stations, TV/video outlets, and Webcasters. More than 300 students and advisers were in attendance. Bri and Michael attended educational sessions on station management and promotions. As part of the educational mission of Student Media, their summaries are published so other students at NCSU can learn from the conference as well.

The students were accompanied by Assistant Coordinator of Student Media Advising Jamie Lynn Gilbert, who also served as one of the principal organizers of the event as secretary for CBI. During the convention, Jamie and Lydia Ammossow, adviser for KXLU-FM at Loyola Marymount, facilitated a “swag swap” in which participants brought swag – stickers, pens, T-shirts, koozies, bottle openers, CDs, etc. – to swap with their peer stations.

Jamie also led a roundtable discussion on developing a station code of ethics. After being asked about codes of ethics by one of her peers, Jamie realized all existing model codes – from NPR, PBS, the Society for Professional Journalists and Radio-Television Digital News Association – were largely irrelevant for student radio and television operations that rely heavily on entertainment rather than news programming. In this first phase of research, Jamie outlined an 11-point list of broad topics to be covered in a code of ethics and engaged the audience in a discussion about ethical dilemmas and decision-making.

Bri and Michael broadcast live from the convention via cybercast on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. until noon. WKNC joined stations from Bowling Green State University, Otterbein University, Loyola University Maryland, Seton Hall University, Valdosta State University and Streetsboro High School in the cybercast.

The awards ceremony for the National Student Production Awards was held at the conclusion of the convention. WKNC received a finalist award for best radio feature for Selma Abdulhai’s piece “American Muslims Reflect on 9/11” that aired on the Sept. 13, 2011 “Eye on the Triangle.” DJ Paul Williams was awarded best radio promo for “Friday Night Request Rock ‘New Stereo.”

WKNC was also named a finalist for radio station of the year in College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards, awarded Nov. 1 at the National College Media Convention in Chicago.