JRSM
Student Media
Journalism and Strategic Media students have the opportunity to work in several student media outlets during their studies. Student media allow for work on real-world stories and projects and with real clients. The student media experience helps to launch internships and careers when students enter the job market.
Work at some student media outlets can be used for Student Media Practicum course credit; others are incorporated into journalism courses. The listings below explain each outlet and how to get involved.
The Daily Helmsman
The Daily Helmsman, is an independent, award-winning student-run online newspaper. It began in 1931 and was called The Tiger Rag. The name was changed to The Helmsman in 1972, and again in 1981 to The Daily Helmsman, when it began publishing four days a week. Now, it is an online news publication available at dailyhelmsman.com. Students make all the editorial decisions. Each semester student editors run the newspaper. It has a paid staff of editors and about 20 student writers and photographers. It also has a faculty adviser. All hiring and financial decisions are made by the five-member Student Media Board.
Tiger News
Tiger News is the weekly television newscast produced by students at the University of Memphis. Our four-part mission includes:
- to inform, enlighten and entertain the students, faculty and staff of the University
- to provide training for student journalists
- to give a voice to different perspectives
- to uphold high journalistic standards
Students produce the show entirely: from finding stories to shooting and editing them, from organizing the newscast to filming it and uploading it online. As such, many positions are open: producer, assistant director, anchor, crew member (audio technician, tape operator, prompter operator, camera operator), social media content writer, video uploader and website content editor. Students can wear several hats every week and change positions to broaden their range and improve their skills. All positions are open yearlong, except anchors. Anchor auditions will be held in the beginning of each semester.
Our main purpose is to give students a place to practice and deepen broadcast journalism skills while learning to work as a team. Students can participate in Tiger News as early as their first semester and toward the end of their college career, they can earn credit with Tiger News through JOUR 4639, TV News Producing, or JOUR 4940, Student Media Practicum.
Upper-level students should help train the less experienced ones as all students work cooperatively in a collegial atmosphere, the way they will be expected to do in their broadcast journalism career.
Meeman 901 Strategies
Meeman 901 Strategies is the department's student-run strategic communication firm. The firm takes on both pro bono and paying clients every semester and offers a range of services, including website design and upkeep; public relations strategy; social media content creation and monitoring; advertising and branding strategy and design; copywriting and editing; visual and graphic design elements including logos and any other strategic communication needs of an organization.
Past clients have included the Memphis chapter of the American Heart Association, the University of Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, the University of Memphis ROTC and Memphis Light, Gas, and Water.
Working with Meeman 901 Strategies can be done either for course/practicum credit or on a volunteer basis at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who wish to get course/practicum credit must apply for a position within the firm the semester before they wish to receive credit.
The ROAR
The ROAR- University of Memphis Radio, is an online only radio station operated by the students at the University of Memphis. The ROAR features a diverse blend of music, news talk, sports, and specialty programming. UofM students and staff members play an open format of music and respectfully engage in topics important to campus culture. The ROAR is all about the happenings in and around the University of Memphis campus and surrounding community. The ROAR serves as a creative hub that provides students the opportunity to express themselves and build confidence while learning about the radio broadcast industry. The ROAR’s mission is to serve as a creative hub where all students, staff and alumni can inspire, educate, and entertain our campus and surrounding community.