On Dec. 17, 2024, journalists from the Jones Blueprint ventured to Chicago’s local WGN-TV studios for an exclusive look at the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism.
The experience included a tour of the facility, alongside a question and answer session with current staff members at WGN-TV.
“It was amazing to just peer into the inner workings of the studio. Seeing the control room and how this whole thing gets run was really cool,” said assistant web editor Zain Moustafa ‘26.
Since its founding in 1948, WGN-TV has made waves across the country – even leading to the development of WGN America in 1978. Its home, however, remains in Chicago.
“I grew up watching WGN. It was almost like meeting a celebrity,” said opinion editor Calvin Beckert ‘26. “Being able to see what happens after the cameras cut and see the chemistry between the anchors makes it feel a little bit more real.”
Newscasts are regularly aired on tight deadlines, often masking the complexities involved in their creation.
“There was a line of production assistants cutting to different camera angles and setting everything up. It left an impression on me, seeing how many moving parts there are to it,” said Moustafa ‘26.
As the world continues to digitalize, student publications, including the Jones Blueprint, have been exploring new mediums beyond traditional print journalism.
“It gave me a better idea of other possibilities in journalism outside of just writing stories and interviewing people. There’s a lot else that goes on in this industry,” said Beckert.
In fact, the Jones Blueprint runs its own broadcast, and students have worked hard to enhance its quality in recent years.
“I have been doing more broadcast work with the Eagle News Network. Seeing it [WGN live stream] go from the control room to on air so professionally has made me a better broadcaster,” said sports editor Annette Walker ‘26.
It is rewarding to be reminded that the media many consume passively, is the result of a vast, collaborative team effort.
“It was a really eye-opening experience. I think we’re often disconnected from the concept of broadcast journalism,” said Moustafa. “It’s so much bigger than you expect it to be.”