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Years of political coverage culminate in Election Night broadcast
by Nick Vitukevich
Exchange Staff
On Election night 2008, the Fitzwater Center finished two years of presidential reporting and political analysis with the live broadcast of "Politically Speaking" on FPTV and the internet.
Politically Speaking provided an analysis of the Fitzwater Center's coverage of state and national politics over the last two years, starting in 2006 with the mid-term elections, as well as focusing on the Presidential race.
"The viewers we had could definitely take in a lot from what we talked about. We had a lot of guest speakers and I thought it was really well done," said Associate Producer Steph Lewis.
The show, four and a half hours long, included guest speakers, analysis by hosts Andrew Berger, Eric Jackman and Justin Martell, along with live news updates by Fitzwater Center political journalists.
Relevant political topics like the student vote and persuasion through media were addressed.
"The eyes of youth are often different from the eyes of elders and there is a different energy to the discourse that comes from student work. Youth perspective is important and it needs to be informed by study, deep world and social observation and an eye toward providing a service that moves the society and populace forward in their understanding of their role in the world," said Professor Ukumbwa Sauti, a guest on the show.
Sauti talked about a project that his class did
regarding persuasion of media and explained it was "to display the persuasive nature of
media and social dynamics."
"It was brilliant planning on the part of the producers
[Grad Student Navette Wall and Executive Producer Steven Dodrill] and
analysts of the show," said Fitzwater Center political journalist Erica
Tomaszewski.
The show also featured video news packages and reports
from throughout the state of New Hampshire, filmed by student journalists
and reporters covering the state for Dan Rather Reports, a nationally
televised show on HD-net.
In 2006, the Fitzwater Center launched its Fitzwater
Connections Political team. Steve Dodrill, a Fitzwater Scholar, was named to lead
the group of students covering the political process.
"It all started when a majority of the state supported
Democrats Paul Hodes and Carol Shea Porter, un-seating two Republicans. The
Fitzwater Center was there to document history and report on this turn of
events," said Dodrill.
Planners of the show called the
night's production a success. "It was definitely an honor to be part of such
an elite cast [and] it was just cool to be part of. We're such a small
school and to have such a huge impact on politics is pretty cool," said
Tomaszewski."
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