Owners of the Black Television News Channel said they will no longer base the network out of Florida A&M University’s journalism school.
The change comes a month after the university removed the school’s dean, Ann Kimbrough.
BTNC cited conflicts in moving classrooms during construction for halting the project. Although the company has made efforts to create an internship curriculum for the students, many are voicing their disappointment in the sudden change.
FAMU Student Government Association vice president Devin Harrison is a public relations student, and expressed disappointment.
“I’m more so upset because this is something that I personally feel like students, five to 10 years down the line even after I graduate, they can still benefit from this program,” he said. “To have that resource taken from you out of your backyard is hurting.”
The network is now planning to build its studio at a location in Northern Tallahassee. Harrison is also concerned with the issue of transportation for students from the main campus to BTNC’s off-site location.
Many students were hoping to get more training in the media industry with the new station’s equipment.
Jamilia Colson, a senior public relations student, said this is another missed opportunity.
“… It just would’ve touched so many students, and it still may, but not in the capacity that it originally was meant for,” she said.
“It’s a big deal for them to be on our campus, not just as a side internship like they’re talking about now. It’s so many people disappointed, alumni, and that would’ve been a tool to recruit new students coming.”
BTNC is still expecting to launch in February 2018.