Students Pushing the Boundary of the Media Landscape

Source: Unsplash.

The media industry is in a period of change, with a current shift to the online, multi-media landscape forcing institutions training the next generation of journo’s, radio hosts and screen-producers to adapt. One of which being the New Zealand Broadcasting School’s (NZBS) broadcasting programme.  

For the first time, and the change taking place now and for the remainder of this year, the school is seeing its’ students expand their student radio station Bassline, into a fully-fledged brand occupying the online space. The change also means students’ own projects will need to encompass a multi-media presence as opposed from staying within their own disciplines (e.g. Journalism, radio, screen craft) which its’ student body does not feel is adequately budgeted for.  

As the premier national provider of applied education in broadcast journalism, and various other mediums, the NZBS prides itself on producing journalists and media workers that are skilled, and practically able.  

As the programme stood for the past month, students were given a $100 budget per group to create the ‘pilot phase’ of their projects. Then, following a selection process some will be given a further $200 to continue their work.  

A screen craft student, who wanted to remain anonymous, said it was a difficult task. 

“Our main costs come from the shoots we do. Getting lunch and Koha for actors eats up the budget very quickly,” they said.  

Furthermore, students are having to dip into their own pockets to keep projects going.  

Currently, the Bassline demographic is predominantly male, aged 24-39, with students at the school – of which majority don’t fit into this category – seeing the creation of content, and subsequent expansion that much more difficult.  

There is reportedly interest from MediaWorks, NZME, TVNZ, and Stuff - just to name a few - in the new changes coming to the programme, to develop an understanding of what is required to transform projects into successful, multi-media brands. 

All content which is set to be produced will be available to watch and read from November.  

For all updates and new information that comes out, see the Bassline Instagram page, @bassline96.1.