About Focal Point

What: Focal Point is a student-produced newscast at Michigan State University. We record newscasts 12 times per school year in the studios in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building. The purpose of the newscast is to not only provide news and information to the MSU community, but to give students the opportunity to learn about broadcasting in all forms: reporting; shooting and editing video; writing.

More info: Students enroll in JRN 406 and they produce most of the content and anchor the newscasts; However, we are also an MSU Registered Student Organization and any student on campus can come to meetings and taping nights. They can work various positions in the control room or in the studio:

  • Camera operators
  • Audio board
  • Video switcher (technical director)
  • Director
  • Teleprompter
  • Tape machines
  • Graphics
  • Associate producer (helps time the show and makes sure graphics get on the air correctly)
  • Lighting

Where: Focal Point airs on WKAR-World Channel (23-4) in the Lansing, Michigan market. It’s also streamed using mogulus.com at SpartanTV

We broadcast live on taping nights

(see calendar for schedule)

Bob Gould is the Executive Producer and Faculty Advisor of Focal Point.

Purpose of this website:

This website will not only be a companion website for the show (with news content), but will provide students an opportunity to blog about their experiences with the show and maybe some insight on a particular story.