College students obviously don’t read their student newspaper for national news – CNN, Politico, cable news all have more to offer.

But in an election season that already has charged the youth vote, college newspapers would be remiss if they didn’t cover the campaigns. Already, papers have sent student journalists around N.C. to cover politico’s appearances, have snagged interviews with candidates for state office and have localized the party’s conventions in Denver and St. Paul, Minn. And when it comes to state elections, student papers might be a reader’s only source of information about the candidates. How they cover the elections matter.

Until the election, check back to see what student newspapers are writing about the campaigns. Hear from editors about how they’re localizing the national race, and how they’re educating readers about state races, and read a round-up of election news as it’s published by N.C. college papers.

Comments and ideas are welcomed. Something missing from your college paper’s coverage? Something they do well? I want to hear. (Disclaimer: I’m a managing editor at The Daily Tar Heel, UNC-Chapel Hill’s student newspaper. Critiques of the DTH’s coverage are certainly welcome.)


  1. 1 How N.C. college papers are covering the 2008 election « The water’s fine

    [...] One of our ongoing assignments is to blog about a specific topic related to the elections in N.C. My plans are to follow student newspapers, mainly college, and how they’re covering the campaigns: But in an election season that already has charged the youth vote, college newspapers would be remiss if they didn’t cover the campaigns. Already, papers have sent student journalists around N.C. to cover politico’s appearances, have snagged interviews with candidates for state office and have localized the party’s conventions in Denver and St. Paul, Minn. And when it comes to state elections, student papers might be a reader’s only source of information about the candidates. How they cover the elections matter. (N.C. Youth Vote, Sept. 4) [...]




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  • about me

    I'm a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill. I have worked at The Daily Tar Heel since fall of 2006 as a reporter, assistant editor and editor of the City desk. This fall, I will be Managing Editor for print. I've interned at The (Southern Pines) Pilot and The Salisbury Post. This blog is part of a class assignment for JOMC 491.