Meredith Fellows Receive Broadcast Training at CBS 5, Cronkite

Ten of the nation’s top broadcast journalism students from underrepresented groups are participating in the Meredith-Cronkite Fellowship Program at CBS 5, KPHO-TV, and Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication this week. Established in 2007, the program is designed to prepare the next generation of broadcast journalists through a rigorous weeklong media training camp at the CBS 5 studio and the Cronkite School. The Jan. 4-9 camp is made possible by the Meredith Corporation, the parent company of CBS 5. Fellows spend the week with CBS 5 reporters, producers, editors and videographers as well as instructors at the Cronkite School, receiving hands-on instruction on interviewing, storytelling, videography, voicing and other technical aspects of broadcast news. The program culminates with an anchored newscast produced by the fellows in the CBS 5 studio. The program is led by Cronkite Assistant Dean and News Director Mark Lodato, Cronkite News Content Director Heather Dunn and CBS 5 News Director Leona Wood. “The experience the Meredith-Cronkite fellows gain in this weeklong, intensive program is unrivaled,” Wood said. “It sets each of the individuals apart from their peers, and in turn, helps ensure that the future of our industry remains inclusive of diverse voices.” The annual fellowship selects 10 students in a competitive process with half of the group coming from the Cronkite School and rest from other universities and colleges. This year’s cohort includes students from Howard University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Maryland, the University of Missouri and the University of Southern California. “The Meredith-Cronkite Fellowship Program has helped launch the careers of many outstanding broadcast journalists across the country,” Lodato said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with CBS 5 and the Meredith Corporation to help prepare the next generation of leaders in television news.” Meredith Corporation has been committed to service journalism for more than 110 years. Today, Meredith uses multiple distribution platforms — including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile, tablets and video — to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. 2015 Meredith-Cronkite Fellows Katrina Arroyos, Arizona State University Hanna Battah, University of Missouri Adrian Gurrola, Northern Arizona University Yahaira Jacquez, Arizona State University Kofo Lasaki, Howard University Isaac Moody, University of Southern California Vivian Padilla, Arizona State University Jacqueline Pulido, Arizona State University Jesus Yanez-Reyes, Arizona State University Valerie Young, University of Maryland