This spring students at Swarthmore College, with the support of the school’s administration, started producing a webcast called War News Radio. You can see a news release about it here and visit the broadcast site here.
Swarthmore has a tradition of political activism. And the aim of the broadcast is to cover the conflict in Iraq in all its dimensions — from interviews with ordinary Iraqis to stories on returning US soldiers and everything in between, all with an eye to catching stories the mainstream media might miss. The first broadcast, for instance, featured an interview with a young Iraqi man who works as a clerk in one of the hotels that hosts many of the foreign press reporting from Baghdad.
It’s still a work in progress. And Swarthmore is looking to hire a full-time journalist (at a full-time salary) — with at least some radio or TV experience — to oversee the project for a year, beginning this June. Age isn’t important. What they are looking for is someone who will enjoy helping students find their own voice while mentoring them in responsible journalistic practices. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, you can send them an email at swarthmorewnr@yahoo.com to find out more.
