Earlier this year, the Truman Media Network (TMN) debuted a new website that serves as the collaborative hub for all student media outlets.
The site is the product of a continued effort between the Index, TMN Television, KTRM 88.7 the Edge and Detours Magazine to share resources and offer educational opportunities in digital convergence of media.
Marilyn Yaquinto, associate professor of communication and chair of the Student Media Board, notes the website is an important step in creating student media that is effective and relevant. She feels the collaboration of different media outlets allows a wider range of journalistic experiences, reflecting the multi-media approach of today’s media marketplace.
“Before, students had to choose just one platform to tell a story,” Yaquinto said. “Now that we have this hub, students are becoming excited about telling stories using whichever technology is best-suited for the situation.”
All student media outlets now meet on a weekly basis in order to minimize overlap between news presented, effectively creating an avenue for a greater quantity of engaging media.
If it is any indication, people have started to take notice as TMN outlets have brought home a number of awards already this year.
The Missouri College Media Association (MCMA) named the Index Best in State at its 2014 conference in Kirksville. MCMA is the state organization for student print media and is affiliated with the Missouri Press Association. Truman hosted the conference since Index editor-in-chief Emily Battmer has been the MCMA president for the past year. Twenty Missouri schools and 150 participants gathered on Truman’s campus for the conference. Wall Street Journal editor and Truman alumnus Nate Becker delivered the conference keynote. In addition to receiving MCMA’s top honor, the paper and its staff received numerous awards for writing, photography and design.
TMN members also faired well at the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association (MBEA) conference this spring. MBEA only acknowledges first place and honorable mention recipients, which for Truman included awards in the categories of audio news feature, audio station promo, video news story, video sports show and multi-media.
Truman Media Network’s new website can be found at tmn.truman.edu.
