Murrow College takes control of Pullman-KWSU and Richland-KTNW TV stations

Raising questions and lowering costs, PBS-member stations KWSU/Pullman and KTNW/Richland merged operations under the Murrow College “as part of ongoing efforts to achieve maximum use of existing resources and increased operational efficiencies,” according to a Washington State University press release.
The merger, directed by WSU President Elson S. Floyd, went into effect February 1.
“I think he saw both academic and financial advantages to the move,” Erica Austin, Dean of the Murrow College of Communication, said in an e-mail regarding Floyd’s decision.
Austin, who will hold control over the stations’ operations, said the change will give programming more “WSU flavor.”
“It also means that the producers will have the collaborative power of faculty and students to help create and distribute more programming so they can increase and improve what they do; as if they had a larger staff,” Austin said.
“It’s going to align us closer to the college in helping [with the] training of students,” Warren Wright, Station Manager of KWSU/KTNW said. “The students will be able to help the station with production assistance.”
Wright said Floyd was looking for a way to better involve the students in the public television organization.
Austin said WSU students will have the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment to produce professional-quality programs.
“Our students often win national awards for their projects already,” Austin said. “It doesn’t seem to be much of a stretch for them to be able to meet high standards of professionalism.”
Wright said he thinks students are supportive of the change, which he called “win-win.” Austin said she thinks the move will generate few, if any, disadvantages. Tim Pavish, Vice President, University Relations, declined to comment.
“We have 12 students currently doing production with us and we hope there will be more,” Wright said.
Jamerika Haynes, student reporter for “Taking on the Issues,” a Cable 8 production, plans to be a broadcast news reporter when she graduates.
Haynes is excited about the production move but worries if censorship will become an issue. She said students need to thoroughly research their rights and responsibilities with the type of programming that they want to cover, and make sure they are accurate.
“[Students] just need to be aware that the administration can now have control over what will be on the air,” Haynes said.
Censorship will likely not be an issue, Austin said, because “the station has not been producing news, and the producers will still be involved in decision making.”
Austin did not mention whether censorship would be a factor in program selection or non-news content.
Austin said the association between the stations and college is one of few programs around the country, and it will benefit students from all areas of the college, “including advertising, public relations, organizational communication and research specialties in addition to journalism and broadcasting.”
The administration believes the move “will help propel the College to another level of excellence,” and make a big difference for the students, community and state, Austin said.