Hofstra students star in election broadcast

The Herbert School of Communications, at Hofstra University, had transformed overnight into a news station. Students were busy writing scripts and reporting live results on election night, on a program called “Hofstra Votes Live.”

The multi-platform broadcast brought together students from across the Herbert School and the university. They began planning the program months before the election in order to deliver comprehensive, real-time coverage — all under the mentoring and guidance of Hofstra faculty members. The broadcast aired from 8 p.m. to midnight, and reached audiences on campus, on YouTube and on 88.7 FM WRHU, Radio Hofstra University.

The program featured coverage with both a regional and national perspective, and included live reports from watch parties such as those for Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and his Democratic challenger Laura Gillen, who ultimately defeated him. One of the standout moments was a live report from Vice President Kamala Harris’s watch party, at Howard University, in Washington, by student reporter Jake Epstein. Student anchors also interview guests such as former New York Gov. David Paterson on air.

The students gained hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of live news coverage, and learned about the behind-the-scenes work that goes into producing an important broadcast on a historic night. They also felt for themselves the excitement and intensity of covering a presidential election.

“To be part of Hofstra Votes Live is a huge opportunity, and I feel so grateful being part of the team,” said Sarah Ng, a senior at Hofstra who served as one of the anchors of the national coverage. “It’s a big production that the department puts on every two years, and I’m really excited to see how it comes together. I’m both excited and nervous just because it’s four hours long — that’s like, that would be the longest I’ve ever been on air live.”

Days before the broadcast, student anchors like Ng took part in a special workshop hosted by WABC reporter Chanteé Lans, who shared some of the secrets of being a good anchor during a live broadcast.

In the past, “HVL” has covered presidential and midterm elections as well as Super Tuesday during the presidential primaries. Last year the broadcast won the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Student Video Newscast for its coverage of the 2022 midterms.

“I’m really grateful, actually, to be one of the coordinating producers for ‘HVL’ for the 2024 presidential election,” junior Samantha Diamond said. “You know, seeing me as a freshman two years ago, I was one of the camera assistants. . . . And I was just, like, you know what? When I’m an upperclassmen and we do this again in two years, I want to be one of the leaders.”

In addition to the main “HVL” broadcast, students also produced a special edition of “Hofstra News Now” that aired the day before Election Day. The broadcast examined key issues in the election, including reproductive rights, foreign affairs and inflation.