Weeklong Immersive Journalism Program for High School, College Students Starts with White House Briefing

Newswise — WASHINGTON (March 14, 2016)— Top student journalists from many of the nation’s leading media programs will come to the nation’s capital this summer for a new immersive journalism program including a press briefing at the White House facilitated by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest and other top Obama administration officials. The press conference will be followed by two days of multimedia reporting on stories about how election year issues affect Washington metro-area millennials living in the shadows of government. The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs will lead the program, “Newsroom U: A White House Student Press Briefing and Multimedia Weekend,” in partnership with the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. The inaugural session will run May 5-9 in Washington, D.C. Twenty-five students (23 from college and two from high school) will participate. The students will post their stories on an interactive website and share them with the project’s media partners, including USA Today. The Journalism Education Association, Adobe Systems and the Student Press Law Center are also program partners. Imani M. Cheers, assistant professor of media and public affairs at GW; Ed Madison, assistant professor at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication; and D. Michael Cheers, associate professor of photojournalism at the San Jose State University School of Journalism and Mass Communications, will lead the project. Newsroom U was created by Dr. Madison and Dr. Imani M. Cheers and facilitates and captures – through documentary storytelling – immersive learning experiences for journalism students. Students interested in participating can apply at NewsroomU.com. The deadline is March 20 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Successful applicants will be notified if they are selected by April 1. Additional information is available on Newsroom U’s website. GW School of Media and Public AffairsThe GW School of Media and Public Affairs is dedicated to the rigorous study of journalism and political communication with a focus on understanding the impact media have on how societies inform and govern, connect and communicate. As media undergo transformational change, SMPA’s goal is to advance both theoretical insight and innovative practice. SMPA conducts groundbreaking research, offers inspiring teaching, encourages hands-on work in the field and in our production facilities and engages directly with thought leaders in Washington, D.C., and around the world. This year the School of Media and Public Affairs is celebrating its Silver Anniversary. Join as it celebrates the accomplishments of its students, alumni, faculty and friends, and help as it builds for the future.