Student-produced reports to air on North Carolina Public TV Feb. 3
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Students discuss the use of woody biomass at an energy plant outside of Roxboro. From left: Tom Linden, plant manager Frank Hayward, Lesley Copeland, Stephanie Soucheray-Grell and Jenny Brown. Photo credit: Mike Oniffrey |
Four reports on alternative energy will air Friday, Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m. on "North Carolina Now," the news and information show on North Carolina Public Television.
Students from the UNC Science and Medical Journalism Program produced the reports as part of professor Tom Linden's science documentary television course in UNC's Hussman School of Journalism and Media.
The reports cover solar energy, hybrid electric vehicle technology, biomass as an energy source and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as a way to extract natural gas from deposits in Lee County.
"The threat of climate change is forcing countries around the world to examine alternatives to coal and oil. Our series looks at how North Carolinians are facing up to this challenge," said Dr. Linden, who narrated the four reports.
Fourteen students researched, produced and wrote the four pieces. Producer of the solar energy piece was J-school master's student Amanda Komar. Associate producer was Trent Johnson, a master's student from the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Scriptwriter was Anne Johnson, a master's student studying science and medical journalism.
The hybrid-electric vehicle technology piece was produced by Grace Joyal, a senior in UNC's journalism school. Associate producers were environmental studies student Casey Stern and continuing education student David McInnes. Carrie Gann, a master's science and medical journalism student, wrote the script.
The report on fracking was produced by public health master's student Chris Akiba. Associate producers were public health master's student Carlee McConnell and Kelly Izlar, a master's student in the Science and Medical Journalism Program, who also provided graphic art. Scriptwriter was Lydia Wilson, a master's student studying interdisciplinary health communication.
The report on woody biomass was produced by Jennifer Brown, a public health master's student. Associate producer was Lesley Copeland, a public health master's student. Stephanie Soucheray-Grell, a master's student in the Science and Medical Journalism Program, wrote the script.
UNC-TV’s Mike Oniffrey served as videographer/editor for the series.
For more information, contact Tom Linden, Glaxo Wellcome Distinguished Professor of Medical Journalism, at linden@unc.edu or 919.962.4078.