Passaic Today

Students at the School of Communication and Media's News Lab are preparing two special productions focusing on Generation Z and the 2024 presidential election. The specials, titled "#Focus: Democracy Our Election: The 2024 Vote," will be available on Hawk Plus, a student-run streaming service, in November.

The first production will air on Monday, November 4 at 8 p.m., the night before the election. It will provide a preview with a focus on Gen Z. The second production will follow two weeks after the election with post-election coverage.

The project is produced by News Lab students in collaboration with other campus groups, Michigan State University students, and partners from WNBC and Telemundo 47. "This is an exceptional opportunity for our students to create a professional news production," says News Lab Coordinator Mark Effron. He notes that between 50 to 75 students are involved in various roles such as leading, producing, anchoring, reporting, videography, streaming, and control room operations.

Highlights of the November 4 special include discussions based on a poll conducted by students about Gen Z and the election. There will also be live focus groups with Montclair Political Science majors and segments discussing potential presidencies of Harris or Trump. Commentary from NBC News' Steve Kornacki is scheduled alongside reports from Michigan State University students. An interview with Allan Villafaña from Telemundo 47 will be featured in both English and Spanish.

Isabella Alvarez, a News Lab student currently studying at Bournemouth University in England, will provide live reports about being an American student abroad during this significant election period. Additionally, there will be coverage from a special social media unit.

Effron emphasizes that these productions offer real-world experience for students: "One of the hallmarks of our school – soon to be college – is that our students work in professional settings and leave Montclair ready to tackle the real world."

These productions are part of ongoing #Focus initiatives undertaken each semester by SCM students. Previous topics have included #FocusDemocracy, #FocusDisruption, #FocusImmigration, #FocusClimateChange, and #FocusRacialJustice. Over the past four years, these projects have earned FOLIO Awards for their quality.