This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Nathan Sterle loves covering sports made possible by the University of Utah's Athletics Department.
But that doesn't mean he wants to work for them.
Sterle, a U. junior majoring in mass communications, is taking a class that enables him to broadcast stories on the student-produced television show "Newsbreak," which airs on Channel 9 and via the Web. He also hosts a weekly sports radio talk show called "Cooler Talk with Nathan and Antonio" on the K-UTE student radio station.
He says the independence he enjoys in both roles is helping him prepare for his dream job as a sports broadcaster.
Sterle and some faculty members worry that independence may be in jeopardy, as a newly formed presidential task force discusses new media opportunities on campus. The Athletics Department has the ability to broadcast sports and non-sports programming on CSTV and the mtn. television network, both of which offer college athletics news, focusing on sports offered at each college and athletic achievements. The task force is looking into using existing student media outlets such as K-UTE and "Newsbreak" to help fill airtime.
David Vergobbi, associate professor of communications, is concerned collaboration may hinder his department's educational mission.
"Obviously, they would want to broadcast only pro-university content, but that wouldn't meet our missions," he said.
Vergobbi initially believed the task force also was looking at student print publications, including the student newspaper, The Daily Utah Chronicle, but task force members assuaged those fears.
He remains concerned, however, that efforts at collaboration may blur the difference in students' minds between journalism and public relations, and he wants to make sure any collaborative arrangements make the distinction clear. "You're not going to inculcate proper journalistic values" by allowing the university to have administrative control over student media, Vergobbi said.
U. President Michael Young said the university will maintain students' First Amendment rights and make sure they learn the difference between journalism and public relations. He looks at the task force as an academic exercise to help create new curriculum and internship opportunities on campus.
"This is not a question of 'Are we intruding on journalistic prerogatives?' It's purely curricular in how we think about the world that is shifting beneath us," Young said. "We all have an understanding of the distinction between journalism and PR."
Chris Hill, U. athletics director and a member of the task force, said he is waiting for members to finish their work before he proceeds. If the task force decides not to pursue collaboration, Hill said he may look into fundraising to pay for shows focusing on some of the school's smaller sports.
However, he remains optimistic.
"The task force needs to lead us in the right direction to maximize all our resources, " Hill said.
Sterle said he would prefer an opportunity to broadcast on a local television station instead of CSTV and mtn, which are available only on Comcast, and not on DirecTV, which is piped into the dorms. However, he would take advantage of the opportunity to broadcast on Athletic Department stations - if he had journalistic freedom.
"I'd be reluctant, but it would be a good experience to get my face out there," Sterle said.