Furman’s television station FTV is preparing to merge with the Murrow Society. Club leaders hope that the move, which still needs SGA approval, will allow them to develop more programs for student and faculty viewing.
FTV is a student-run organization that used to be very popular throughout the student body. Recently, however, the station has not aired any programming because of little campus support.
The purpose of FTV, according to Co-President Charlie Murphy, is to broadcast news, public announcements, and sports.
“One of the goals [of FTV] is to help inform the community about what is going on around campus,” Murphy said.
The Murrow Society, named after the famous American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow, is a national society that helps promote public broadcasting.
“Essentially, Furman currently has two student organizations whose focus is TV journalism and video production,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Jason Cassidy.
“In an effort to provide Furman students with a quality TV journalism organization, the student leadership and advisors of both FTV and the Murrow Society are working towards a merger into oneorganization.”
This new merger will allow FTV to start playing documentaries in hopes of attracting more student and faculty viewers.
“FTV will gain not only resources but will be able to carry on the prestige of the Murrow Society, ensuring that FTV has a continued commitment to journalism,” said Co-President Blake Wood.
With the new merger in place, FTV is hoping to start airing regular programs.
“Our main objective currently, is to start broadcasting one show every week,” said Murphy.
Wood said he was confident that the station would attracting a sizable viewership, though he recognized that this would take time.
“In the next two to three years, I see FTV continuing to evolve and becoming a prominent organization on campus,” said Wood.
Murphy said that the ultimate goal would be to air a show or news segment on a daily basis. However achieving this will be a challenge because there are not many members in the club. Additionally, new technology is needed to increase efficiency at the station, and there is very little money for the station to use.
However, if more people join, FTV could receive more funding from the school.
“All organizations start small, but if people are passionate about improving and growing FTV they can be part of something that will benefit Furman greatly now and in the future,” said Murphy.
FTV has about eleven members at the moment but is hoping to get at least twenty by the end of the year. No experience is necessary, and students interested in joining should talk to Charlie Murphy.
