How To Become News Literate

By: Cydney Foster

With the recent growth of digital media, traditional media seems to slowly lose its grasp on society. As the digital world grows in size, printed publications disappear everywhere. With the disappearance of newspapers, news deserts have started to form, and people are beginning to turn to social media for their daily news. How does this impact our nation's new literacy?

News literacy is the ability to use critical thinking to evaluate the credibility behind information, whether it is print, TV, or the internet. Thinking critically when getting news is especially important in today's digital age. News is everywhere, but not all news is accurate news.

The overwhelming amount of information that floods us each day makes it difficult to sort out reliable information over fabricated information. With this, we as a society must learn how to engage with all types of news properly. In order to do this, it is important to know what kind of false information lurks online.

Misinformation is defined as false or inaccurate information, especially when it is deliberately intended to deceive. Misinformation has become a growing problem in recent years, with social media becoming people’s main source of information. When individuals see something on social media that aligns with their current beliefs, they tend to think it is factual despite it having no facts to back it up. There are multiple ways misinformation can present itself on social media.

What influences people to trust misinformation? Confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is the tendency of people to seek out information that supports the views they already hold. This can be very dangerous as it leads people to believe things on social media regardless of factual evidence.

Confirmation bias can easily lead us to reach inaccurate –and even unethical– conclusions. It is imperative that individuals develop an awareness of their own confirmation bias and stop them ahead of the tracks.

Sharing misinformation can be completely unintentional, but in some situations, there is the intent behind sharing misinformation. This is referred to as disinformation.

Disinformation is false or misleading information that is knowingly and intentionally created in order to deceive individuals. Individuals who interact/share information to deceive are unknowingly spreading misinformation.

What are some ways you as an individual can become more news literate? First, you can practice fact-checking and verifying information you see online.

If you see something that seems outrageous, do your own research on the story. Always be skeptical when reading anything online. It is important to find at least two other credible sources reporting on the topic. Always follow factual evidence whenever you consume sources of information.

You should also limit how much you rely on emotional responses. This can be challenging, but it is important to look at information objectively, especially news. We, as humans, tend to override our rational thought processes when emotions get in the way. If you see information online that is trying to pull you in emotionally, make sure you research to ensure it is reliable.

Being news literate in today’s age is difficult — but not impossible. If you are aware of the different forms of misinformation and how they manifest on social media, you are able to practice news literacy in your daily life.

For more information and tools about news literacy, check out Newslit.org. The News Literacy Project offers many services for individuals looking to become more news literate in their daily lives. 

The Importance of News Literacy in Young Voters

By: Cecile Nienstedt

Voting is often dismissed as a modern inconvenience—especially in local elections. Voting is a habit enforced and formed over time. Young people are voting less often because they have had less time to form and reinforce the habit of participating in elections. 

Many grew up in households that did not participate in elections; therefore, it was never reinforced. These experiences can create “habitual nonvoters” to “habitual voters,” stated Eric Plutzer, a political scientist at Penn State. Everyone is impacted by what their friends and peers do. However, older people are more likely to have witnessed friends casting ballots over the course of several election cycles.

Another reason for the recent downward trend of Gen-Z voters correlates to a recent poll conducted by Morning Consult that researched patriotic sentiment in America. Gen-Z adults have much lower trust in U.S. government institutions than older generations. They are also much less likely than other groups to say they are proud to live in the U.S. Voting is considered a “patriotic duty”—therefore, the level of patriotism and voter turnout are both relatively low in Gen-Z.

This is an opportunity to improve U.S. patriotism by advocating for Gen-Z to participate in local and national elections to create changes to the government. To achieve justice or reform, we must use the ability to vote for our policymakers. This is possible through news literacy skills and practicing your right to vote. 

To encourage future generations of voters, we rely on our ability to trust information that affects our daily lives. Using news literacy tools such as RumorGuard or Checkology makes checking facts simpler than ever before. Being informed before you vote is a critical responsibility, and we all share it as U.S. citizens to make a difference in our local community and nationally. 

The Role of News Literacy in the Entertainment Industry

By: Riley Kruer

It’s a tale as old as time: you wake up in the morning and begin to scroll through social media only to find a video online teasing an upcoming movie. Excited, you click on it and watch the entire thing. It looks incredible, and you scroll down the comments to see many others sharing your sentiments. However, your excitement quickly fades as you see multiple comments stating that the video is fake. You pull on your detective cap and very quickly see that the trailer isn’t as accurate as you once thought. 

Now, when people think of fake news, they think of topics such as politics and healthcare, and rightfully so. With the rise of social media, many people are intentionally and unintentionally sharing things that aren’t true or distorted to fit a particular agenda. Unfortunately, fake news is not limited to these serious topics. They have made their way into the entertainment industry as well, in music, television and film. 

The most common form of misinformation in the entertainment industry comes in the form of hoaxes and fake leaks, which are actually a form of disinformation. To clarify, disinformation is defined as deliberate and malicious content used intentionally to mislead, while misinformation is defined as false or inaccurate information. Whether it be fake trailers like in the scenario listed above or a slew of fake tweets from your favorite actor, news literacy is arguably just as important in the entertainment industry as it is with more serious subjects. 

So, what are some good ways to become more news literate when you’re reading news about your favorite shows or celebrities? Well, thankfully, organizations like the News Literacy Project have many resources and tips for people to use. However, if you’re more of a detective and want to figure these kinds of things out for yourself, keep these tips in mind:

1. Ask yourself who created the content you’re looking at. If the source isn’t reputable or doesn’t have a ton of knowledge on the subject, perhaps give the information a second thought.

2. Is the headline trying to clickbait me? Does the headline seem like it's trying to elicit an emotional response from you? If so, it may not be as credible as you initially thought. 

3. Check other sources. If you’re like me and can’t always determine whether or not something is true, it helps to visit other sources that you know are credible and see if they have covered the topic. 

If you’re interested in news literacy and want to explore more tips and resources, please visit newslit.org to check out the News Literacy Project's resources. They have great tools that people of all ages and backgrounds can use to determine whether or not the latest trailer of your favorite movie is real or just trying to hype you up. 

What is a News Desert?

By: Katie Haley

News deserts are rural or urban communities with limited access to the sort of credible,  comprehensive news and information that feeds democracy at the grassroots level. More than 200 counties in America are considered news deserts with no access to a newspaper. News deserts are becoming more frequent in our country, making it more difficult for Americans to have reliable news outlets. New deserts are becoming most prominent in rural regions where media sectors are not being recognized or reached. 

You may be asking, why is this happening? The answer is simple. Print news has seen a major decline within the last decade. News organizations are failing to adapt and produce an alternative. This is because of the shift in the business model. After our country suffered a massive public health crisis where reliable news was more important than ever, organizations lost funds and employees to adjust accordingly. Consequently, this left journalists and reporters without jobs.

Without reliable news sources, people are turning to social media, which isn’t always credible. For example, Facebook pages are people's opinions and not factual news. The opposite, however, is those community members that are not digitally connected and go without being informed. Individuals that are not informed or able to plug into those proper news outlets can affect more than just themselves, but the community at large. 

The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan national education nonprofit. They launched a campaign in 2022 to help new consumers identify factual news. The campaign was focused on “being informed, not misled.” For information and resources, visit newslit.org. 

What Is IPR?

By: Sophia Wittbrodt

If you are an IPR student, you have probably been asked, “What is IPR?” It is a fairly common question about the program. Let’s give a rundown of what the IPR program really is for those who are curious, students who are interested in the major and students who are currently majoring in it who may need more information. 

IPR stands for Integrative Public Relations. It is an interdisciplinary major, including courses from broadcast and cinematic arts, communication and journalism departments. Having a combination of departments makes the IPR major at CMU stand out. The course load focuses in those three departments, but there are also elective classes offered and an internship required. This past summer, students interned at Dow Chemical Company, Lansing Lugnuts, Truscott Rossman, Chateau Chantal Winery, National Cherry Festival, Brilliant PR and Marketing and more. The courses offered in the IPR program teach you how to put together media kits, write press releases, plan events, develop social media and design communication plans. Everything you learn in class will prepare you to go into an internship and career confidently. 

If you are looking for more than just classroom experiences, the IPR program offers two organizations for students to join, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and PR Central (PRC). PRSSA provides opportunities to attend professional development workshops, national conferences, networking events, socials and agency tours. It also provides an amazing network of peers and professionals. Being a member of PRSSA makes you eligible to be a member of PR Central, a student-run PR firm that works with real-world clients and provides hands-on experience in the field. 

If you are looking for a major that offers a wide variety of opportunities, IPR might be the place for you.

Communicate Critically

By: Leona Falconer

Without context and consideration, information posted online can cause irreversible damage. News consumers have endless resources to seek information, but it can be challenging to discern credible sources from misleading ones.

This can cause disinformation to spread in the form of hoaxes, propaganda and conspiracy theories. It is in all of our hands to combat misinformation and spread credible communications through the practice of news literacy.

Creating a news-literate society starts at the source – with journalists. They safeguard the public from misinformation and promote unbiased news coverage.

Reporters must follow a strict code of ethics to seek the truth and report it accurately and transparently. Quality news organizations commit to not just reporting the facts but backing it up with reputable data and sources. This means providing context and explaining how they collected it, analyzed it, built their database and made it verifiable.

However, this isn’t always the case in online news reporting today. Consumers must also practice news literacy in order to sift through the constant barrage of information and conflicting stories.

The public must also be mindful of the information they share or repost. News consumers are an important piece of the news cycle and also contribute to the discourse that takes place online. They can be just as responsible for the spread of misinformation as news organizations and journalists.

With this in mind, news consumers must actively work to hone their news literacy skills to stay sharp and keep on top of the constant barrage of information. A fantastic resource to learn about and practice news literacy is the News Literacy Project.

This nonpartisan education nonprofit offers platforms, apps, tips and quizzes to hone your news literacy skills. Take advantage of their free resources to become a more engaged and empowered member of society!

Debunk Misinformation

By: Molly Anderson

In today’s digital world, we are constantly bombarded by news and information from a variety of sources. So, how do we know what to believe and what sources to trust? The first step is to learn the fundamentals of news literacy. But what’s news literacy, and why is it important? Let’s begin!

Without news literacy, we’d be lost in our social feeds and drowning in disinformation. Today, the truth and facts compete for attention against viral rumors and conspiracy theories, but news literacy can teach you how to think about the news and information you encounter on a daily basis and how to combat disinformation.

It may seem overwhelming at first; however, organizations and resources are available to guide you on your journey to becoming news literate. The News Literacy Project (NLP) is a nonpartisan education non-profit building a national movement to create a more news-literate America. The NLP defines news literacy as “the ability to determine the credibility of news and other information and to recognize the standards of fact-based journalism to know what to trust, share and act on.”

While the media strives to be transparent, as news consumers, we must also engage and become more news-literate to debunk the misinformation we are confronted with every day. With the technology we have at our fingertips, it is easy for a rumor to spread, a picture to be taken out of context or opinions and perspectives to be taken as the truth. We each have a role and a responsibility to close the credibility gap and stop misinformation.

By using the NLP’s tools and resources, we can learn how to identify what news and information we can trust, share and act on, to become better-informed, more engaged and empowered in our democracy.

Don’t get caught off guard. Use RumorGuard!

RumorGuard is a platform that teaches people how to identify credible information and debunk viral rumors. The platform uses real-world examples of misinformation and provides an overview of fact-checks by walking users through the process of evaluating how and why a rumor might be false. Each post teaches and uses five major factors of credibility that users can learn to apply to evaluate other questionable claims they may encounter online.

The NLP’s five factors are:

• Source: Has the information been posted by a credible source?

• Evidence: Is there evidence that proves the claim is true?

• Context: Is the context accurate?

• Reasoning: Is the claim based on sound, valid reasoning?

• Authenticity: Is the information authentic, or has it been edited, changed or completely made up?

Test your knowledge with Quizzes!

How news-literate are you? Test and sharpen your news literacy skills with short activities, engaging quizzes and shareable graphics.

Identify credible news and reliable sources with Checkology!

The NLP has a free e-learning platform for the public. Checkology’s interactive lessons are taught by journalists and media experts, featuring real-world examples from social media and news sites. Each lesson aims to empower consumers to identify credible information and understand the importance of a free press.

Practice your news literacy skills on Informable!

With the NLP’s free mobile app, you can practice four distinct news literacy skills in a game-like format:

• Distinguishing news reports from opinion pieces.

• Advertisements from other types of information.

• False claims from credible evidence.

• Fact-based statements from opinion-based statements.

Learn about news literacy issues with Is that a fact? podcast!

The NLP’s podcast, Is that a fact?, informs listeners about news literacy issues that affect their lives through informal conversations with experts working to combat misinformation.

For more information about news literacy or the News Literacy Project, visit https://newslit.org/

Ways To De-Stress During the Semester

By: Jolie Chene

Art

One way to de-stress is to try a form of art that you like. Things like painting, drawing and coloring can be very good stress relievers to relax and get your mind off of everything for a little bit.

Going for a walk

In warmer weather, going for a walk can be a good way to relieve some stress. Exercise in general is a good way to boost your mood. Going outside and getting fresh air is really helpful when you're stuck inside studying.

Therapy dogs

Check out the therapy dogs at CMU. Every second and fourth Friday of the month the CMU therapy dogs are outside of Foust where you can go and pet the dogs. If you’re missing your pets from home or just need to relieve some stress, the therapy dogs are a great way to get your mind off of things.

Meditation

Take a few minutes out of your day to try meditating. This can be a good way to take a minute for yourself and relax. Meditation can help reduce negative emotions, even if it's just for a few minutes.

Listen to music

Listening to your favorite music in between homework or studying is a good way to boost your mood and take a few minutes to yourself. Walking to class while listening to music or having it on while you're in your room is a good way to have something for yourself in stressful times.

Ways To Get Involved On Campus

By: Kyra Macomber

Getting involved in on-campus activities and groups can certainly be intimidating when you first start your college experience. For some, it’s easy to jump right in, but my first semester was more like dipping my toes in the extracurricular pool.

I would go to my classes then come back to my dorm and work on assignments and that’s it. By the end of the semester, I had no extracurriculars under my belt. My second semester I joined the Central Michigan University Concert Choir as a way of soft launching myself into campus life, and I tried to attend more events on campus as well as getting an on-campus job. Then, at the beginning of this year, I started attending registered student organizations. Through my experiences, I have broadened my horizons both academically and socially. 

Getting involved on campus at first can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start. For CMU, looking at Central Michigan Life publications is where I first found out how many RSOs there are on campus. They send emails talking about the different events happening on campus that week with many being hosted by RSOs. Another place to start would be Engage Central, a website with every CMU RSO, including information about upcoming meetings and events. 

Every semester, CMU has an event called MainStage, where different RSOs go to recruit new members. Here, you can find RSOs that will push you academically, will be well-suited to your specific interests or may introduce you to a new hobby! MainStage is actually where I learned more about PRSSA and decided to join! MainStage for this semester is Jan. 29 and is the perfect opportunity to dive into campus life.

Although it was intimidating, becoming more active on campus is something I’ve never regretted. College is a limited time experience, but getting the most I can out of my time at CMU has fulfilled me academically and socially. 

How I Prepared for a New Semester

By: Sofia Randazzo

Preparing for a new semester of college is scary. It’s like the first day of school all over again; new classes, new people, getting lost on campus and even having to start a new routine. I know after a month-long holiday break it is very hard to get back into the swing of things – it was even hard for me. But the way I prepared made things go much smoother than moving back to college and starting new classes feeling unready.

1. Look over your upcoming classes

I know looking at your next semester’s classes during break is not what we want to do, but it is necessary. The week before school started back up, I had to force myself to look at my classes and write down where they are, what time they are at and build a tentative schedule around them. If you look at your classes the night before school starts, it may leave you unprepared, and even more anxious. 

1. Make a schedule

Making a schedule is what keeps me intact. On the notes app on my phone, I wrote down the exact times of every single one of my classes (and clubs!) and worked my free time and homework around it. If I had one hour gaps between classes, I would know that is a good time to go home and have a quick meal. After my afternoon class, I would know it is time to go to the gym. If I had a three hour gap between my class and my club, that would be the time made for homework. Sticking to a strict schedule day-by-day and week-by-week will keep you organized and all around less stressed. 

1. Mentally prepare

This seems pretty obvious, but it may not be for some people. I know it is hard to think about going back to school while being on break, but not mentally preparing for what is coming ahead is what causes more anxiety down the line. During break, I had many sleepless nights worrying about moving back to school and basically starting over. The anxiety and stress is almost inevitable; but there are ways to lessen it.

Meditating is a great form of relaxation that can calm the body and release your stress hormones. Once a day for 30 minutes I would meditate and listen to zen music to take my mind off school. If you worry about the future just like me, this is a great skill to have when wanting to focus on the present. 

Surviving Finals Week

By: Katie Haley

Turns out there is a solution to surviving finals week that doesn’t involve an IV-drip of coffee and an all-nighter. In my three years of college I have found neither of those are likely to help you in the end. Finals week is overwhelming whether a freshman or a fifth year. The amount of information you need to cram in a week can be daunting. Here are a few ideas to study more efficiently. 

1. Make a study schedule

Check your exam times. From there create a schedule of when you need to be prepared for each exam. This will help you prioritize what you should study first. With that being said, create a schedule of smaller study sessions. Don’t cram one class’s material into one day. 

1. Study smarter, not harder

You might think the best way to study is rereading the textbook or rewatching a lecture. However, it usually doesn’t work. Try creating a Quizlet or flashcards with the material so you can test your knowledge. Also, studying many days in advance is more effective than one cram session before the exam. 

1. Study Buddies

Getting a study group together is a great way to study efficiently — if you have the willpower to avoid distractions. You can quiz each other or divide and conquer on helping each other learn certain sections of material. If you often fall to distraction, find a friend to go to the library with that is going to hold you accountable and keep you focused. 

1. Choose the right location 

The environment that surrounds you while studying is important for the success of learning. Find a space where you feel motivated and focused. If you need silence, head to the library. If you need some background noise, try a local coffee shop. 

1. Take a break

While it may seem like you need to study at every waking moment to learn all the material, it is only going to negatively impact you. Go for a walk, take a nap and do something for yourself. 

Hopefully these tips can make your finals week a little less daunting. Take time for yourself to survive the marathon of finals week! Good luck, you got this!

The Meghan Trainor Renaissance

By: Kyra Macomber

According to a TikTok posted on Chris Olsen’s page on Nov. 18, we are currently in a “Meghan Trainor Renaissance,” which he claims to have had a hand in ushering in. Although this may be ambitious for just any influencer, Chris Olsen has truly impacted the current trajectory of Meghan Trainor’s career in the music industry. Through a slew of brilliant social media and PR moves, Olsen, Trainor and their teams have changed the general public’s opinion on the pop star.

Meghan Trainor’s musical career took off with her 2014 pop hit, “All About That Bass.” Trainor had cemented herself as an artist to watch as her career began taking off. However, at 21-years-old she had a main demographic of 30 to 40-year-old-women. Because of her slightly older listeners, her numbers were lower on popular streaming services of the time, such as Spotify and Pandora, so Trainor seemed to mostly fizzle out of the main public eye after about two years, despite her Grammy Award.

However, this status began to change when the star created a TikTok account and began posting semi-regularly on the app. Trainor was a pioneer on this app, being one of the first celebrities to embrace it before TikTok hit its mainstream popularity. Although her TikTok’s were garnering attention, with most of her older work on the app getting one to three million views, this would only be the beginning.

Enter Chris Olsen, 24, who began posting to TikTok regularly in early 2020. Basing his early videos on his then-relationship with fellow TikToker Ian Paeget, the two gained immense following and success, with a combined nine million followers at the end of their relationship. Following their breakup, Olsen was able to successfully pivot his content to focus on himself and his interests. He now has nine million followers on his own.

In April of 2022, Olsen appeared on the podcast “Workin’ on It,'' hosted by Trainor and her brother. Here it was revealed that Olsen and Trainor were childhood best friends and regaled listeners with stories of their early friendship. From this point on, followers of each were treated to many TikTok’s of the two together, posted on both of their pages. From here, they both gained massive attention, with Trainor garnering 15 million views in her first TikTok featuring Olsen.

Around June of 2022, Olsen took charge of Trainor’s media presence. He’s responsible for curating her content, suggesting TikTok ideas and appearing frequently in her videos posted to the app. Although from the outside this may appear as a random matching, looking at the details reveals a brilliant PR strategy from Olsen, Trainor and both their teams. Olsen naturally connects with younger viewers on his own TikTok page, and the videos featuring him on Trainor’s page garnered massive attention compared to her other content. Younger people were once again aware of Meghan Trainor as an entity and were beginning to follow her account. Trainor was also preparing for the release of her new album, “Takin’ It Back,” so having an influx of new listeners and fans now was imperative to her success. So, Chris Olsen was put on Meghan Trainor’s payroll, launching her TikTok following to 15.4 million, with all her TikTok’s reaching anywhere from two to 20 million views.

This impressive maneuver by Olsen and Trainor may have saved her career, as well as given Olsen a steady paycheck in the face of an unstable influencer environment. In the future, do not be surprised to see more mainstream celebrities team up with influencers following Trainor and Olsen’s success. We are living in the Meghan Trainor renaissance.

An ICONic Experience

By: Leona Falconer

I truly got to see the power of influence and communication at ICON 2022. I had the incredible opportunity to connect with fellow Public Relations Student Society of America peers and leading industry professionals in Dallas, Texas.

Myself and seven other members traveled to the Gaylord Texan Resort for international conference Nov. 11-15. As the first in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it was an exciting opportunity to network and invest in professional development.

This experience taught me valuable lessons in branding, social media marketing, reputation management and accessible communications. We had the chance to hear from major companies like Taco Bell, Frito-Lay, Delta Air Lines and Hilton. There were also countless firms and agencies in attendance, such as Edelman, BCW and Lambert and Co.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to learn more about furthering diversity, equity and inclusion in the PR industry for all communities. We heard a moving speech from Shanita Baraka Akintonde, a Chicago native that has smashed setbacks and blazed a path for black women in the PR industry.

I was particularly touched by a keynote address from Marlee Matlin. Matlin is an actress, author and activist. She was the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award. As she signed her speech, Matlin’s translator helped to orate her life story. She shared her struggles against adversity, and how she broke down barriers and made a name for herself as both an actress and an activist.

I left this conference feeling more assured than ever in my future profession. As a student that entered college in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was one of the first in-person conferences I’ve had the opportunity to attend. I truly got to see and experience the wonderful PR community surrounding and supporting all of us.

This experience was impactful for both my personal and professional goals. I encourage all PRSSA members to consider attending ICON next year in Nashville – it’s an experience you won’t regret!

Public Relations Within the Fashion Industry

By: Sofia Randazzo

Public relations is integrated in everything around us – food, automotive, theater, music and fashion. Public relations professionals have the important but under-publicized responsibility of maintaining the relationship between businesses and customers.

When it comes to the fashion industry, public relations is crucial for advertising, customer service, promotional events, fashion shows and more. Without fashion public relations, neither the fashion nor public relations industry would be the same.

Numerous people contribute to the development of the trends that define us and make up the fashion business as we know it today. It's essential that businesses in this sector do everything possible to get customers to come back to a business when the fresh, popular trends quickly become outdated. 

A fashion brand becomes extremely popular if they have a differential advantage from their competitors. When creating that differential advantage, that job falls on the public relations professional. Here, they brainstorm campaigns, events and new experiences that customers would remember forever. 

A public relations professional has to wear a lot of hats in the fashion industry. The general roles they play are collaborating with designers to test new fabrics, boosting brands and fashion houses, helping with runway shows and product debuts, capturing and editing content for social media and media marketing. 

The continual evolution of fashion is caused by the nexus between public relations and the fashion industry. These organizations can prosper and expand thanks to their convergence. 

My Experience in Nonprofit PR

By: Christian Talley

This past summer, I was presented with the opportunity to work an internship at The Children’s Center, a nonprofit in downtown Detroit that works with underprivileged children and families in the Wayne County area. 

Throughout the internship, I learned new things that I didn’t have the chance to learn in class at Central Michigan University. My supervisor was extremely helpful as well, as he understood how necessary it was for me to see what the public relations industry is really like. 

I experienced every aspect of PR, from creating newsletters, curating social media posts, using graphic design and learning how to request a proposal to PR firms. 

I was also able to connect with other firms and professionals in the public relations industry. My supervisor allowed me to listen in on important meetings, talk to the heads of PR firms and even give my input on a few ideas that they had.

However, I didn’t just interact with public relations professionals. I was also able to talk to and learn a new skill from a graphic designer, who showed me how to use Adobe Illustrator. Additionally, she helped me understand the correct programs to use depending on what I’m trying to create. 

Although I didn’t have much interest in working in the nonprofit side of PR before my internship, I can now say I have lots of interest in it now after my stint with The Children’s Center. Hopefully, after I graduate, I can work there full time and learn even more from my supervisor and fellow PR professionals. 

Becoming a Better PR Professional: Minoring in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts

By: Cora Fassett

Broadcast and cinematic arts. Those words are a bit daunting, aren’t they? Don’t let them be. The BCA program at Central Michigan University surrounds media, whether television, radio, film or social media. 

I first became familiar with the program because of my mom. She is an alumna who got her master’s degree in BCA. I always thought it was fascinating to hear what she had to do in her classes. She would write news stories, produce live television and critique movies and TV shows in her classes. 

My dad also influenced my decision to study this field. He took some BCA classes and was a radio DJ for CMU’s student-run radio station, WMHW 91.5 FM. Hearing this information made me realize that having a BCA minor can give me unique opportunities to make me a better job candidate.

As a BCA minor, I have learned how to edit audio and video, critique media, write news stories, make video storyboards and so much more. Through these classes, I have met and become close with many aspiring journalists. Integrative public relations students have been told countless times that having relationships with journalists while in the field is crucial to being a great PR professional. 

Furthermore, thanks to an audio production class required for the minor, I had an experience that helped me host my own radio segment. Every Thursday, like my dad, I would go on air for an hour and talk about music and entertainment news on WMHW 91.5 FM. Through my time at the station, I learned how radio works through hands-on training. I can apply this experience to my PR career because I have a first-hand understanding of the local radio power, which is often overlooked. Not only that, but I know how to write messages that translate well to audiences over the air.

If you are an IPR student looking to add on a minor, consider BCA. You’ll gain experience and an understanding of the media that you can’t have without this minor.

Public Relations: Why Is It Important?

By: Kyra Macomber

Public relations is one of the fastest-growing professions in the modern world. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth was at 8% in 2021 – much faster than average. How is this possible when so many people and businesses don’t know what public relations practitioners do in the first place? So, why is public relations important?

Public relations, although difficult to pinpoint exactly because of the many distinct aspects, was finally given a proper definition in 1982 by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Public relations is described as a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the public.

Public relations exists in any moderately sized company today. Sometimes these jobs are labeled as communications or marketing jobs, but employees perform the duties of a public relations practitioner. These practitioners help create credibility for a brand and connect with their audience or consumers through their values.

This can happen by increasing a brand’s online presence through press releases and events that are open to the public. Through these means, a public relations practitioner can help build long-term brand loyalty, which drives sales. Therefore, a company wants and needs to utilize the power of public relations.

Public relations practitioners are also trained in crisis communication, which can help companies and brands during times of turmoil. Whether it was a defective product or an ad campaign taken the wrong way, public relations professionals know how to regain their audience’s trust.

By learning how important public relations is and how it is utilized, you can begin seeing how these tactics used by public relations practitioners play out in the real world.

Discovering My Passion For PR

By: Jolie Chene

When I first came to Central Michigan University, I didn't know what I wanted to major in. I tried out CMU's integrative public relations program starting with IPR 101. In this class, we had to do a project on our dream job.

When I got the assignment, I didn't have a dream job, so I researched different types of jobs within the PR field. I came across a LinkedIn ad for a social media manager for NASCAR.

I chose this as my dream job project because it had so many different attributes that interested me. I would be able to attend the races, travel with the team, take pictures and videos and promote the team on social media.

Before studying PR, I never thought running social media for a NASCAR team was possible. One of my favorite things about PR – as a major and a job – is the many different avenues you can explore within it.

I wanted to continue with PR after trying the class because I was very interested in everything about it. I felt like it was finally something that I enjoyed learning about and wanted to stick with.

The integrative public relations program at CMU teaches you many different subjects: journalism, broadcasting, multimedia, communications, advertising and business management. There’s a wide variety of classes to take and skills to learn within the major.

I fell in love with PR after I took the IPR 101 class and saw all the different skills I will come to learn. I want to go into PR because any job within the field would be a dream job.

Exploring PR Paths: The Music Industry

By: Kendall Weishaupt

The field of public relations is needed in almost every industry.

I want to explore the industry of music public relations.

What if I worked as a public relations professional for Universal Music Group? This is a global organization that deals with every genre of music. Working in public relations for this group would mean balancing many clients and projects at the same time.

The idea of working for multiple clients or music artists is exciting. A large part of the job would be public relations campaigns for upcoming albums. It would have to start with researching the audience and the listeners. When do they listen? How do they listen? What time of year will a new album be most significant?

Once the research is done, it’s time to communicate with the artist about their vision for the overall mood of the album. What will it sound like? What will the artwork and promotional material look like? After that, a brand kit and media kit would need to be made. Then, as the public relations professional, it would be my job to start getting interviews with talk shows, magazines and news outlets.

After a campaign is rolled out, it’s time to watch it unfold and measure the public’s perception. I would analyze the feedback and be ready to handle any type of crisis.

Music is an event-driven industry, so I hope as a public relations professional in that field I would also be able to utilize event planning skills. Events such as album listening parties and show opportunities would be promotions I would plan. In addition, I could help organize what a tour would look like.

Planning a tour and booking venues is not something I, as a public relations professional, would be doing. However, there is much more that goes into planning a tour. I would help plan the promotional and creative side, which would entail another campaign of how to announce and promote the tour.

There may not always be an album, show or tour to constantly promote, so the basics of the job would come down to image management and crisis communication. What are the public and the media saying about my client? Is the brand or image of my client where they want it to be? Do I have to step in?

Working in any public relations field will always be exciting, stressful and busy. Working in the music industry would be a dream. I hope for my busy days to consist of music related tasks.

Grasping the Rules of Associated Press Style

By: Elizabeth Hamilton

As a practicing public relations professional at Central Michigan University, understanding the Associated Press style may seem like an arduous task.

Associated Press style is the go-to English style and usage guide for journalism and news writing.

I am the Director of Publications for the Public Relations Student Society of America at CMU. Before leaving this position on May 7, it is essential to help fellow public relations professionals grasp the rules of understanding the AP style.

The first thing any journalist or public relations professional should do is purchase the latest edition of the Associated Press Stylebook or subscribe online.

The AP Stylebook is considered the industry “bible.” For more than 50 years, journalists have turned to the AP stylebook for everything from style rules to trusted best practices. The style guide dictates rules for grammar and punctuation, styles for numbers, capitalization, acronyms, abbreviations and more.

Second, writing consistently in AP style is not possible to achieve overnight. Even some of the greatest AP style gurus look up the rules now and then.

Understanding AP style takes constant practice and then some. Will Anderson, who has a doctorate in Instructional Technology, and is a Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts professor at CMU, said, “During the summer, I try to dedicate an hour or so every day to writing. I encourage each student to write at least 750 words a day. Becoming a good writer and finding what formulas work takes time and persistence.”

Next, pretend you are writing for print in the 1950s.

Although it may seem bizarre, it is critical to remember a time when writing space was limited, and it was costly for news outlets to correct errors. Keep in mind you are not writing a ten-page paper for an English class. Avoid using unnecessary filler words like “this” or “that” to make every imaginary penny count.

Finally, test your knowledge.

Continuing to challenge yourself will be a tremendous help. There are thousands of free online quizzes available. Taking AP style quizzes online allows you to practice specific categories such as capitalization, numbers, punctuations, titles and more. Now, you can target any unfamiliar areas needing extra attention.

If you are struggling with AP style, do not get discouraged. Becoming a good writer takes time, practice and effort. Utilize every chance to write, and you will see improvements in your writing.