Student media outlets get the full go-ahead after Journo Department support

City University student media outlets OnScreen and OnTopic will be running again this year, with radio station OnAir set to return later in the term after support from the university’s Journalism Department.

Speaking to The Square earlier this month, SU president Issy Cooke said: “The only outlet we’re considering not doing anymore is radio because only journalism students are allowed to use the studios.”

However the Department of Journalism, which expressed its concern about the loss of opportunity that would come from axing OnAir, were quick to take up the matter with the Union.

Barbara Schofield, from the Journalism Department, said: “My understanding is that City OnAir will be starting later this term and that the SU is fully in support.”

Barbara added: “I’m obviously very supportive, as the entire Journalism Department is, of the go-ahead”.

Issy also stated that OnScreen and OnTopic will continue “exactly as they were before”, and the only other change the SU will make to student media is that OnTopic and Online will now be expected to “share content”.

This news comes after comments from the SU president that implied a media shake up was being considered, saying: “Maybe we have City OnTopic and don’t have City OnAir”.

When previously questioned about the futures of City OnScreen and City Online, she added: “It’s a conversation that people need to have. At least then we could focus all our finances onto City OnTopic”.

City OnAir’s survival comes as good news to past contributor Nicola Matheou, who had previously told The Square she was “extremely sad” to hear the outlet may close.

“When I was lost and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, I just knew it wasn’t law anymore, working with City OnAir gave me a new direction…it provided the creative outlet I was lacking”, added the ex-Law student, who now plans to return to City for a Journalism MA.

As of yet OnScreen and OnTopic are without editors, however the SU has recently advertised on Facebook for students interested in taking on those roles. The application deadline is Monday.