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Student Media Definition

Approved by the membership on Oct. 6, 2023.

To ensure equitable competition among Kansas Collegiate Media (KCM) members, the
administration of the “Overall” and “Individual” contests hosted by KCM each year
require period review and revision. As such, the following proposes a clearer and more
unified definition for the types of media that can be entered into a competitive category.
For the purposes of KCM and its contests, the concept of “student media” (as well as
“student publications,” “student news,” “student news outlet,” “student media outlet,” and
any other such phrase as applicable)
shall be defined and understood in the ensuing
manner, keeping in mind that from the outset each student media entity must be a paid
member of KCM in its own right:

STUDENT MEDIA:

  • Consists of news and information reporting that includes, but not limited to news, opinion, entertainment, athletics, and feature coverage.
  • Is produced by students and primarily for students by focusing on the local campus, community, or institute of higher education.
  • Might be independent and separate from the institution or part of a program’s course of study as a lab class.
  • May be funded wholly or in part from advertising, student services fees, or the educational department it is housed within.
  • Content is published by appearing in print, online, or over the air, and student editors, leaders, and reporters operating in a legal and ethical manner make the coverage decisions and enjoy editorial freedom.

Student media is not a public relations arm of the institution or any other entity,
which means editorial content created for the explicit purpose of meeting a client
request — even if the work is done by students and part of a class — does not
count as student media for the purposes of KCM and its contests. The exception
is paid advertising created by and for student media that is entered into
advertising-specific contests.

Welcome

Kansas Collegiate Media (KCM) is the state-wide organization serving student media outlets at Kansas colleges and universities by providing support, learning opportunities and contests — all aimed at strengthening student media and supporting the important, democratic function of news reporting and information dissemination.


Upcoming Events

2025 KCM Contest

Entry Deadline: Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
Work Eligible for Entry: Published between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024

2025 Spring Conference

Date: April 13-14
Time: 12:30 p.m., Sunday through 2 p.m., Monday
Where: Wichita State University Campus — Rhatigan Student Center
Registration Link: 2025 KCM Conference
Lodging:
• A block of 35 rooms at the Hyatt on Campus is saved
• Room rate: $114 plus taxes (and a $5 campus fee)
• Reservations: Click here!


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What is student media?

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