It’s a match made in radio heaven — digital journalism students provide high-quality content while gaining broadcasting experience. Campus community radio station CJAMfm will honour the volunteers who produce the 30 News — Radio Edition during its annual awards ceremony.

The weekly news program airs on 99.1FM Fridays at noon. Its contributors have been named the station’s volunteers of the year, with special recognition for host Ashley Quinton, who conceived the show and launched it as her fourth-year capstone project.

Now a master’s student of communication and social justice, she says she uses skills learned in the digital journalism program during every live broadcast.

“It’s a thrilling and new experience each week as I work alongside the 30 News reporters to gather guests to speak about relevant and important issues to the campus and the broader community,” Quinton says. “It’s all about seeking out the information students need and want to hear.”

Blake Roberts, chair of the digital journalism program, says that radio remains a viable medium for providing news and information.

“An interesting fact about radio is that compared to newspapers and television, radio has lost less audience share to online formats,” he says. “Having the 30 News — Radio Edition on CJAM thus gives our digital journalism students yet another venue for them to learn their craft and tell their stories to the broader community.”

Station manager Brady Holek says CJAM is a natural home for the show.

“There is something to be said for the experience of going live to air, interviewing guests and operating the boards all at once,” he says. “We are proud to provide opportunities like this to the professional students from digital journalism.”

He notes the volunteer award will be presented alongside a host of others voted by listeners, during the Jammy Awards celebration Friday, April 7.

“The Jammy Awards highlight the hard work that volunteers put in all year long,” Holek says. “These volunteers come in weekly to create programming that is not offered anywhere else on the dial and that dedication and hard work deserves to be celebrated.”

The free public event is set for Villains Beastro, 256 Pelissier Street. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the awards at 9 p.m. and a performance at 11 p.m. by Teenage Geese, a self-described “flock and roll band.”