Fresh Take Florida, the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) student news service producing investigative reporting on Florida’s state government or other issues of statewide, regional or national interest, is featured in “University of Florida’s Fresh Take Florida Launches Journalism Careers” published by the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News on April 19.

The service, launched in 2019 and advised by Ted Bridis, UFCJC Michael and Linda Connelly Senior Lecturer in Investigative Reporting, offers professional experiences for young journalists and fills reporting gaps local organizations are unable to cover. The program sends student stories to a distribution list of nearly 100 Florida newspapers, television stations, and radio stations.

According to Journalism senior Silas Morgan, “Not every college in America has these resources, opportunities, or courses that allow students to focus on such huge issues. The fact that you can get them published by major news organizations is incredibly rewarding. It really matters who you learn from. Having [Ted Bridis’] guidance has been so important.”

Bridis said, “We try to tailor the class to what the students tell us they need for their portfolios. For example, if they want to be an environmental or public safety reporter, we look for opportunities for them to engage in that kind of reporting. If they want to be a general assignment [reporter] we make sure they get some good examples of breaking news.”

He adds, “We try to get a fresh take on every story, so we aren’t duplicating what others are reporting. So even the big papers find value in what we put out. It’s a public service to make that kind of journalism available to everyone.”

Media outlets which have hired former students include the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Miami Herald, and the Associated Press. Fresh Take Florida has also been named a finalist in the IRE National Investigative Reporting Awards for a story on campus crime data removal by student Troy Myers.

Posted: April 23, 2024
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: Fresh Take Florida, IRE National Investigative Reporting Awards, Ted Bridis, Troy Myers