CNS TV | Philip Merrill College of Journalism

CNS TV

Broadcast bureau students have the remarkable opportunity to write, report, and anchor Maryland Newsline, a nightly newscast that brings the latest news and public affairs from Washington, Annapolis, and Prince George's and Montgomery counties to more than 400,000 households in suburban Washington over UMTV, the cable television station of the University of Maryland (Channel 72 in Prince George's County; Channel 2 in Montgomery County).

Students, working under the guidance of college instructors/editors, receive six credits for acting as full-time reporters from Tuesday through Friday to produce the show out of the Richard Eaton Broadcast Center at UMTV or out of the college's Capital News Service bureaus next to the State House in Annapolis or in the National Press Building in Washington. The newscast covers everything from local breaking news to the top issues facing the state and nation.

Beginning in spring 2009, Newsline began posting a CNS-TV story rundown on the Web for possible use by news outlets around the state. You can also complete newscasts, at Maryland Newsline’s television archives on the Web.

The bureau requires a full-time commitment, producing day-of-air packages and longer issue stories. The commitment pays off in experience and clips. CNS-TV crew members responded to Washington and the Pentagon following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. They have covered presidential inaugurations, state and national elections, the NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis, and deadly tornadoes in Prince George's County. CNS-TV video has appeared on local network affiliates in Washington and Baltimore, as well as CBS Network News, even “Access Hollywood.”

To put the news product on the air, Maryland Newsline staff members rely on the latest equipment and technology, the same you'd find in a professional newsroom. Producers, anchors and reporters write their copy and monitor news wires using Associated Press' ENPS news computer system. AP news management systems are the most popular in the world, giving students experience on the same system they likely find in the professional ranks. In the field, CNS-TV crews use Panasonic DVCPro digital cameras and edit systems.

Becoming a CNS-TV Reporter

The bureau program is open to all journalism majors. We are looking for graduate students or highly motivated juniors and seniors who are planning a career in broadcast journalism and who have taped samples of their work to submit for evaluation.

To apply, drop off your tape, resume and a brief cover letter to Assistant Dean Steve Crane in Room 2116 of the Journalism Building. Bureau reporters for the spring 2009 semester have already been selected. The deadline to apply for the fall 2009 semester is April 15. Only University of Maryland journalism majors are eligible to apply.

For more information, see Mr. Crane or contact incoming bureau director Sue Kopen Katcef to make an appointment to visit UMTV's Richard Eaton Broadcast Center.