Collegiate journalism that fulfills the needs of campus readers thrives with the support of a media professional capable of guiding budding journalists.
On Oct. 29, Amy Emmert, the adviser to UCLA Student Media, the umbrella organization that acts as the publisher for the Daily Bruin, seven newsmagazines and UCLA Radio, finished her final day in the position. Emmert was UCLA’s last journalism educator.
The UCLA Communications Board, which oversees Student Media, must move quickly to decide how to fill the position with an experienced individual able to preserve and strengthen the education mission of Student Media.
Emmert’s resignation, which came on the heels of three layoffs of non-student support staff, marks a significant loss of support for student journalism at UCLA.
For years, the Daily Bruin, which generates more than half of Student Media’s revenues, has tightened its belt as a result of slipping print advertising revenue in order to preserve its news-gathering mission.
The newspaper moved to a less expensive printer, reduced the circulation of the print paper, stopped its subscription to the Associated Press wire service and moved the newsroom to a less expensive publishing system.
At an administrative level, only three of seven non-student support staff remain employed at Student Media, generating significant savings from the lower cost of salary and benefits.
But the newspaper’s belt, and those of the Bruin’s sister publications and media, only has so many notches to tighten.
Emmert will still advise Student Media publications and media remotely for 10 hours a week until June. Beyond this, no plans have been finalized.
For the duration of this academic year, Student Media, specifically the Bruin and newsmagazines, should be fine. The journalistic skills and ethics that have been passed to our staffs under Emmert’s supervision will maintain the quality of news-gathering and storytelling in the department.
But it’s not about this year, it’s about those who will come next. It’s about maintaining in perpetuity the quality that UCLA expects from its student publications.
No one can really predict just how fast advertising revenues will decline in future years, but the plummet could be rapid. In the face of such uncertainty, one thing should be certain: The Communications Board must act fast to safeguard the vitality of journalism education at UCLA.