Opportunities for original stories abound. The routine is similar for both broadcast and newspaper students. The student comes up with the story idea, does the reporting and writes the story or script. There is continuing consultation with an editor, who is a faculty member, during reporting and as the story takes final shape. Students, often working in teams, also use computer- assisted reporting skills to produce investigative projects, some of which have received national attention.
Broadcasters get weekly experience in live reporting techniques.
Their stories are shot by staff and delivered by network or satellite feed. Newspaper stories are transmitted electronically from the Medill News Service bureau in the heart of Washington. Students have the additional benefit of having clips or air checks from the local news organizations that print or air stories. The Washington program is required of all students in the broadcasting sequence. It is an elective open to students in all other sequences.