Visiting American University Radio was like visiting a compact CNN newsroom with the appeal only NPR could bring. Last month, vendors from our media center got to meet with some of the station’s own media team.
I used to sling newspapers for Detroit Free Press and appreciated the high-end production. The technology, media booths, modern furniture, huge soundstage, and the smell of Starbucks and crescent rolls goes into every piece this team puts out.
Tyrone Turner, a visual editor and photojournalist for WAMU, led our tour and talked through some of their production processes. He is brilliant. Turner’s day-to-day routine varies, and it sounded awesome as he described the photo shoots he sets up for portraits, agricultural, cityscapes, and just about whatever he wants to focus on.
He led our group through a series of stories with the staff and the corridors that hold them. I left with a great impression and can’t wait to visit again. It makes me wonder what might be achieved if even larger news conglomerates could change the tone of the office: Heavenly people covering heavenly events. Just a thought.
