Photo Jazmine Moering
Cameron Adams
Editor-in-Chief
The Jackson State University Department of Journalism and Media Studies (DJMS) broadcasted live coverage of the 2023 gubernatorial and legislative elections via multiple platforms including: JSUTV, TheSipp.FM, WJSU and the department’s YouTube channel.
The live broadcast was hosted by DJMS Professor Wilton Jackson and included input from political analysts, elected officials, community organizers, JSU students and alumni.
DJMS Faculty Director Don Spann, shared his thoughts on the importance of the department’s election coverage.
“Giving our students the opportunity to participate in election coverage helps to further develop their overall media skills, and understanding the many challenges for producing Live Election Night Coverage for two or more hours. It also allows them to gain additional knowledge about the electoral process,” said Spann.
He added: “By being a major contributor in our election coverage, hopefully they have learned the importance of meeting deadlines, effective communication, proper planning, and how important everyone’s role is critical to the success of any major undertaking.”
Jazmine Moering, a senior journalism and media studies major from Jackson, Miss., ran the teleprompter and camera during the DJMS coverage.
“As far as being a media student, this event was very big for me,” said Moering. “It showed me that I have the skillset to work in the field of media.”
Incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves retained his seat in a highly competitive race with Democratic candidate Brandon Presley. Current results show only a 5 percent margin between the two candidates.
The race was very reminiscent to Reeves’ first term win again former Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood. That race was also won with only a 5 percent margin.
Aniyah Jackson was surprised by the results of the gubernatorial election.
“I was kind of shocked at the results last night. I really thought Brandon Presley was going to pull through,” said Jackson, a sophomore from Chicago, Ill.
Jackson was not the only student disappointed by the elections results.
“I don’t have much to say about the results, but I can say I learned a lot from this voting process being it was my first time voting. Before voting, I was able to be a part of many informative conversations on topics from the importance of voting to the power of the black vote. It is my goal to provide the information that was given to me to even more students when voting season comes again,” said Erykah Cain, a sophomore from Byram, Miss.
The election process was marred early on by issues at many precincts in Jackson.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the process was delayed for many voters when polling places in Hinds County ran out of ballots causing long lines. After an emergency appeal, one judge ordered all polls in the county to remain open an extra hour, until 8 p.m. Four more poll locations in Jackson had to extend voting until 9 p.m.
Many students, like journalism and media studies major and JSU NAACP President Elijah Karriem, felt the race was one of the most important before the 2024 Presidential election.
“It was important for college students to vote in this election because many students are not aware of the power voting can have for marginalized communities. As students attending Jackson State University, which is located in the heart of the Mississippi State Capital, we have experienced numerous issues ranging from the water crisis to an increase in the crime rate. The power of voting can play a vital role in addressing and resolving such issues,” said Karriem, who also served as a student commentator during the coverage.
Gov. Reeves, who has had a difficult relationship with the residents of the capital city, only carried 30 percent of the votes in Hinds County, according the Associated Press.
Reeves and City of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba have been at odds over the water crisis and negative comments the governor has made about the mayor and the capital city.
According to published reports, Gov. Tate Reeves called Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba incompetent and has inaccurately called Jackson the murder capital of the world.
Karriem is concerned about how the outcome of the gubernatorial election will affect college students.
“The results of this race will impact college students in Mississippi in a great way. We see now an increase of students who are actively engaged in civic activism, but for the students who are not engaging, the results of this race impact a great deal of student’s everyday life. For instance, adequate funding from our state government, the increase in grocery tax, and medical care,” Karriem said. “These are things we as colleges students do not think about but affects our everyday lives little by little equaling up to our entire matriculation.”
Viewers who have missed the live show can watch it on YouTube on the JSU Department of Journalism and Media Studies channel.
