Park Center for Independent Media

Journalism major, culture and communication minor
Brooklyn, New York
GRITtv with Laura Flanders

Tracey Casseus had her summer internship at GRITtv with Laura Flanders, an independent public affairs show taped in New York City that airs four times a week on Free Speech TV. Casseus reported to the show’s producers and was responsible for researching issues, as well as pitching her own topics to the production team.

“I helped develop themes for the show, sometimes four at a time,” she said. She also produced regular commentaries and conducted personon-the-street interviews: “It was something we did each week about the Wednesday show topic,” she said. “I liked being out and about in the city. It was always interesting.” Casseus had always envisioned herself writing for a newspaper after college. “But seeing how the market is changing—I felt it was important to learn more about television,” she said. “Being [at GRITtv], I hope to find my niche in television.”

Integrated marketing communications major
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Center for Media and Democracy

“My research and writing skills have improved tremendously, and I’m making valuable connections in the media and public policy worlds,” said Daniel Haack about his summer internship. Haack worked at the Center for Media and Democracy, a nonprofit that promotes media literacy and citizen journalism, and exposes PR spin and propaganda through investigative reporting. He wrote and updated stories for CMD publications, including a series on the Pentagon’s covert program to sway military analysts who appeared on TV news. “I’ve gained a certain sense of satisfaction by working for an organization with a strong investment in the public interest,” he said.

When asked to name the highlight of his internship, Haack raved about attending the National Conference for Media Reform. “Since I was able to obtain press credentials, I had the opportunity to sit in on private press conferences with luminaries