The Summer Student at TVC22 Talk About Their Experiences

Izabela Daszkiewicz sits down with the students of TVC22 as they reflect on their experiences over the summer. “It's been an honour working with all of you", she says. We're here because we wanted to talk about your experience working in the community for a bilingual community television station.”

TVC22 is a bilingual public access news station with a ratio of 60% French content to 40% English content, as the community borders Quebec and is located just outside of Ottawa, Ontario. “We currently aim at Prescott Russell, but we're really expanding to East Ontario”. Izabela explains the mission statement of TVC22 and enquires about the students’ experiences and aspirations. 

Jade Laviolette (Journalist and Videographer) is the one to break the ice: “... working in a very community centred TV station was really fun for me because getting (and finding) people to do interviews (and to help us) was somewhat easy because everyone was very enthusiastic to help us”. Laviolette’s time at TVC22 yielded a newfound appreciation for her community. “I've been in Rockland for a couple of years and even then, I discovered new places I didn't know we had here, and I met a bunch of cool new people.”

Olivia Riddell (Videographer and Editor) follows up Jade with her perspective, and the diverse amount of work she’s been allowed to explore. “What I liked about working in a community TV station was you really get the opportunity to do a bit of everything. If you're like, 'Oh, I want to do some research for a project, you can do that. If you want to try editing, if you want to learn a new software, anything, you really have the opportunity to learn a lot.”

Emery Adou (Administrative Assistant) had moved to Ontario recently, and speaks on how he’s been made to feel welcome. “Working at TVC22 was very interesting for me because it was a way for me to help my community. It really helped me to get to know a lot of people.” Emery feels the role of TVC22 in the community is beyond public service. “We got to help the community, and to spread awareness about certain issues.” Adou took the experience as a learning opportunity professionally as well as personally. 

Alec Pronovost (Videographer) is a high school graduate, and is currently enrolled in Media Production at La Cite. “I enjoyed working at this community station because I learned a lot here,” he said.

“We get to do a lot of what we want to do, and I just expanded my knowledge a lot just working here this summer," says Pronovost, who has taken on most major roles in production during his time at TVC22.

Dania Mainsonneuve (Journalist and Videographer) echoes the sentiments shared by the other students. Dania is studying at the University of Ottawa this fall, and her experience at TVC22 will serve her well. "I really enjoyed working in community television because we could address topics that we can't touch on. We could truly decide what we wanted to do. For example, we talked about physical activity, nutrition, and it was fun to see everything that our community had to offer us, but also what was lacking in the community.”

Benjamin Richard (Editor) similarly wore many proverbial hats while working at TVC22. He speaks specifically about his experience in editing: "In editing, I really have the opportunity to listen to the world, to speak with everyone you interview.” He also acknowledges how TVC22 caters to his individual preferences, and fills the niche of French content. “Yes, I speak English, but I've always had a preference for French. So being able to speak to many people in French but also in English, to those who prefer it or for those for whom it's their primary language. So it's really fun to be bilingual, not only with the people we work with but also with the people we interview because it doesn't limit us in terms of who we can communicate with in the community; we can really address everyone.”

Richard had previously studied telecommunications, and this knowledge gave him a leg up, as well as allowing him to share his knowledge with the other students and to create a synergistic environment. Benjamin is now studying abroad in Germany.

TVC22 prides itself on its inclusivity and commitment to community service, as well as nurturing the next generation of storytellers and journalists.