The CalTV Project Launches Interactive News Web Site

The CalTV Project launched a multimedia Web site this semester, two years after receiving their initial ASUC grant, with hopes of bringing a voice to the student body through an alternative source.

Headed by junior Ryan Panchadsaram, director of the project, the team of six students has combined streaming video with Web log technology to create a current events media outlet for students.

"Our mission for the CalTV Project is to bring voices to the people and educate the community on the events that are happening ... we want to revitalize free speech," Panchadsaram said.

The focal point of the project is to allow students to express themselves where otherwise they would not find the opportunity, project members said.

Every Monday and Wednesday, reporters videotape students giving their opinions on campus news, which later get posted on the CalTV Web site.

A blog for every story also exists to facilitate discussion about the events.

"More often than not, I feel that there is a divide of sorts between people who are naturally vocal about their opinions and those who are not," said Anirudh Vemprala, head of journalism for the project. "I think The CalTV Project is able to bridge that gap through the use of some pretty great technology."

The combination of video and blog allows for the less outspoken members on campus to have their opinions heard, Vemprala said.

Part of the CalTV vision is to adopt a different formula from other news sources on and around campus.

In its current form, CalTV runs four stories a week, releasing two on Tuesday and Thursday. The stories cover a range of topics, from campus and city news to national and international events, with each sector receiving equal coverage.

"We intentionally cover a wide variety of stories, be they local, national or international, with the purpose of getting people on campus thinking about these issues and the wide variety of takes that people have on them," Vemprala said.

While the project has only been online for two weeks, it has already garnered a positive response, scoring some 600 hits each day on the Web site, Panchadsaram said.

"I think it's a good idea. I think students will be able to voice their opinions ... and know what's going on," said freshmen Nicci Chen, a mass communications major.

The team is planning on expanding its operations and eventually making the Web site daily, Panchadsaram said.

In the ever changing world of news media, online video and blogging are at the forefront of the next generation, he said.

"Nothing has taken that step into the video realm and online realm," Panchadsaram said. "We are trying to redefine journalism."

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