Covering the Election
Last night, I spent hours in the Daily Free Press office counting down until the president elect announcement while working on my story for the week. I thought it would be interesting to jot down what I observed throughout the night. Here is what it is like to witness a newsroom environment during a turning point in history:
Early last night, Editor in Chief of Boston University’s Daily Free Press Drew Fitzgerald stretched out on the sofa in the newsroom to get some sleep. Old issues of the paper lay scattered on the floor and staff members argued over how to adjust the antenna of the only television in the office to a static-ridden news channel.
In only a matter of hours, Fitzgerald and the Daily Free Press would have the opportunity to witness and cover what may have been the most ground-breaking presidential election in history.
“Just think, this is going to be the only time in our college careers when we get to cover a presidential election. And this one is such a big deal,” Associate News Editor Vivian Ho said as she worked on a story at her computer. “It’s so exciting, it’s election fever.”
White boards scattered around the office listed what each section of the paper would cover that night. Campus news focused on the headquarters of each party, with analysts on stand-by for when the presidential elect was announced.
Editorial Editor Andy Facini would announce to the rest of the office when certain issues passed.
“Question one was just shot down,” he said as he hustled into the bullpen.
As the night went on, more and more editors and reporters packed into the small room Fitzgerald had used earlier as a quiet place to get some rest.
When senator Barack Obama was elected president, there were cheers not only in the press office, but all through-out Boston. Outside the news office in Kenmore Square, college students celebrated Obama’s victory waving Amerian flags and exchanging hugs.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” said Northeastern junior Amey Reynolds. “I have never seen so many people this excited to participate in an election, the youth really came out to support Obama.”
Her “Barack the vote” T-shirt was an uncommon sight on Election day. Other students wore attire promoting the vote and there were even girls wearing black shirts with white writing saying “Obama girl.”
In the midst of excitement and celebration of the Obama vistory, McCain supporters were easy to spot because of their disappointment. Hugs were exchanged between Kevin Templin and his girlfriend Lindsay Robinson in sadness rather than celebration as Free Press photographer Kristyn Ulanday snapped a picture. She said she was enjoying being part of such a historic night in the newsroom.
The next afternoon the words “MR. PRECEDENT” appeared in bold in the headline of paper. Although it had been a long night for Fitzgerald, who left the office as the sun came up this morning, he said the finished product was worth the long hours and lack of sleep.
“This is a day that will go down in history,” he said. “We have the opportunity to capture the moment.”
Early last night, Editor in Chief of Boston University’s Daily Free Press Drew Fitzgerald stretched out on the sofa in the newsroom to get some sleep. Old issues of the paper lay scattered on the floor and staff members argued over how to adjust the antenna of the only television in the office to a static-ridden news channel.
In only a matter of hours, Fitzgerald and the Daily Free Press would have the opportunity to witness and cover what may have been the most ground-breaking presidential election in history.
“Just think, this is going to be the only time in our college careers when we get to cover a presidential election. And this one is such a big deal,” Associate News Editor Vivian Ho said as she worked on a story at her computer. “It’s so exciting, it’s election fever.”
White boards scattered around the office listed what each section of the paper would cover that night. Campus news focused on the headquarters of each party, with analysts on stand-by for when the presidential elect was announced.
Editorial Editor Andy Facini would announce to the rest of the office when certain issues passed.
“Question one was just shot down,” he said as he hustled into the bullpen.
As the night went on, more and more editors and reporters packed into the small room Fitzgerald had used earlier as a quiet place to get some rest.
When senator Barack Obama was elected president, there were cheers not only in the press office, but all through-out Boston. Outside the news office in Kenmore Square, college students celebrated Obama’s victory waving Amerian flags and exchanging hugs.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” said Northeastern junior Amey Reynolds. “I have never seen so many people this excited to participate in an election, the youth really came out to support Obama.”
Her “Barack the vote” T-shirt was an uncommon sight on Election day. Other students wore attire promoting the vote and there were even girls wearing black shirts with white writing saying “Obama girl.”
In the midst of excitement and celebration of the Obama vistory, McCain supporters were easy to spot because of their disappointment. Hugs were exchanged between Kevin Templin and his girlfriend Lindsay Robinson in sadness rather than celebration as Free Press photographer Kristyn Ulanday snapped a picture. She said she was enjoying being part of such a historic night in the newsroom.
The next afternoon the words “MR. PRECEDENT” appeared in bold in the headline of paper. Although it had been a long night for Fitzgerald, who left the office as the sun came up this morning, he said the finished product was worth the long hours and lack of sleep.
“This is a day that will go down in history,” he said. “We have the opportunity to capture the moment.”
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