The Communication Arts department has begun televising a daily, 30-minute news program live on JEA E+, the local cable system.

Produced in the new high-definition TV studio in Jennings Hall, “Jackson 24/7” began Oct. 27 and airs each day at noon on E+ Channel 6. It is replayed at 10 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

The content of the program is local news and events, and not strictly Union-related stories.

“This is as close to the real world of broadcast news as they’re going to get at a school our size,” Professor Steve Beverly said. “Not too many schools our size are doing something five days a week.”

Seventeen students are working on the show and are alternating responsibilities, such as anchoring, reporting, directing and producing.

“It’s tremendous,” said junior Matthew Kuchem, broadcasting major. “It’s not everyday broadcasting students can sit down behind a news desk and actually produce a live TV show that will mean something to the community.”

Sophomore Juliana Robbins, broadcasting major, said she has been looking forward to working on the news show ever since she heard about the concept.

“This is something a lot of college students don’t get to experience,” she said. “To have this experience now is going to help me a lot in the future.”

Beverly agreed, and said that the “Jackson 24/7” program will give broadcasting students an opportunity to give a quality demo tape to a potential employer.

Kuchem credited Beverly with making the show a reality.

“Steve Beverly has done a superb job getting us ready,” Kuchem said. “He’s been very patient and very helpful.”