Articles on TF

Teens talk politics in Radio forum

College, high school students debate social issues on air

Kathleen Kemp

Issue date: 4/23/07 Section: Metro

The Columbia-based radio program "The Teen Forum Show" is seeking to help teens and college students become more aware of their political and social environment.

"The Teen Forum Show" is broadcast on television, radio and run as an opinion column in papers such as The State and Charleston's The Post and Courier.

John Anderson, a third-year history and political science student, began co-hosting the show two years ago, though it has been on the air since 2000.

In a typical installment, Anderson and his co-hosts, which include two 16-year-old high school students, travel to a South Carolina college or high school to discuss important social or political issues. This includes constantly getting input from the audience, which is made up of local teenagers. Anderson speaks from a "conservative Republic" standpoint.

Anderson said that 99 percent of what he says on the air is his own opinion, though occasionally he has to "play devil's advocate" when topics are more one-sided.

"[For example] everyone knows domestic violence is awful," Anderson said, "but we raise questions to get people stirred up so they won't just agree with the co-host."

Seven years into its run, "The Teen Forum Show" is independent, the number one local show in its time slot and is nationally syndicated.

Anderson said executive producer Justin Turner suggested he try out, and he was selected for his part out of 10-20 other people.

The crew travels all over the state to film on location, including Chapin, Columbia College and USC. The hour-long program is edited to 30 minutes for the television airing, though the radio show is live and full-length. However, Anderson said there have never really been any mishaps in the live broadcast.

"We're a really professional crew; we know how to handle problems when they come up," Anderson said. "The audience is a good size, too. It's not too big, because then it can get out of hand, and it's not too small, so we can discuss issues."

A typical week for the "Teen Forum" team starts at the topic meeting on Sunday. For the next few days the co-hosts research their topics and prepare their opinions. They normally arrive on location at least an hour before taping to set up.

This week, the crew was in Chapin for a special tribute to the Virginia Tech shootings and used that to segue into a discussion about gun control.

"This is more of a social issue," Anderson said. "I'm slightly disgusted with the news coverage of this, the news media needs to know when they cover things like this 24/7, it creates copycat killers."

However, the topics can vary from week to week.

"Sometimes we do all-out political shows like the Iraq war or the Patriot Act. Sometimes we do social issues like teen dating," Anderson said. "We can pretty much handle anything you throw at us."

Anderson said that his mission is to get important messages out to teens and he thinks debates are the best way to do so.

"The preacher with the signs that stands outside of the Russell House, for example, is not effective at all," Anderson said.

Anderson said that political and social involvement at the college level "could be better."

"People have a general idea of what's going on by just flipping channels," Anderson said. "Instead of relying on FOX and CNN, make your own opinion."

Kaley Hasty, a third-year exercise science student, said that she thinks there's a lot of political awareness on campus.

"I do see a lot of advertisements for it, so I do think they're trying to get students involved," Hasty said. However, Hasty also said that a program like "The Teen Forum Show" is probably a good idea.

"I'd like to get more involved in politics myself," Hasty said. "I'd like to see something more geared toward our age group."

Tread Snedecor, a first-year business student, said he thinks the mainstream news media is accessible to college students, and that he gets all the news he needs from his Google.com homepage.

"None of the issues are really that close to home for me, I just like knowing what's going on," Snedecor said.

The staffers at "The Teen Forum Show" don't get paid and are all interns. However, Anderson does not plan to turn his current stint as co-host into a career. Anderson is the son of a former radio host and said he knows firsthand how rough the industry can be. Instead of pursuing show business, he plans to enter a different type of cutthroat world after graduation: law school. Anderson hopes to practice and then maybe become a judge or politician.

"With law, I can at least look my opponent in the eye," Anderson said. "In show business you can get stabbed in the back at any time."

While Anderson hopes to stay with the show for as long as he can, he knows school will soon take up most of his time.

"The Teen Forum Show" airs on television Channel 4 Sundays at 7:30 p.m., and the radio broadcast airs on channel WOIC 1230 AM from 4-5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Anderson said he has high hopes for the show's future.

"We can only go up from here," Anderson said.

FLORENCE - Almost 100 Francis Marion University students participated in a live taping of The Teen Forum Show in the commons area Wednesday to voice their opinion on a variety of news events.

The Teen Forum Show, which is part of the Andy Thomas Radio Network, can be heard on many stations throughout the Southeast, including South Carolina and North Carolina. The show also has a syndicated column that appears in The State and The Post and Courier weekly and is now on its Army College Road Tour.

The show is the only nationally syndicated weekly talk show with 500,000 listeners that consists of a diverse eight-member teen crew geared toward getting teenagers involved in open conversations with one another and their parents.

In the past, the forum has addressed a wide variety of topics, from politics and teen violence to race and drug abuse.

"We are a medium to get out issues. A lot of times teenagers don't pay attention to mainstream media," said Justin Turner, executive producer of the show. "We are trying to bring it to there level."

FMU students debated topics Wednesday such as separation of church and state, Hurricane Katrina and the pledge of allegiance.

Jessica Green, 19, said she appreciates the Teen Forum Show because it relates to teenagers and it covers issues that she has talked about in school as well as at home.

"The topics were very relatable because they are talking about stuff that is happening now," Green said. "It's real topics, not something we can't relate to."

John Anderson, 19, is one of the hosts on The Teen Forum Show. He said he loves working with the show and talking to people about these issues.

"I think this is probably one of the best shows I've seen," Anderson said. "I'll do this for as long as I can."

Next week, the show will be at the University of South Carolina Aiken, then Clemson University. Students can listen every Wednesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on WBSC 1550 AM in Florence, Darlington, Cheraw and Bennettsville.

News Archive from 07/13/05

TEEN RADIO SHOW HELPS OTHER TEENS

The idea of the Teen Forum Show came in 1986, but the show wasn't established until 2000. Based in Columbia, the show features a seven member teenage crew. The co-hosts say their goal is to make teens form opinions, voice them, and be heard. Ronak Shah, one of the co-hosts, says, "I think it's essential that teens get heard, because I would say that the are the most exposed to it of any generation, because they see it in the classrooms everyday, and they see what's going on and are able to make informed decisions." But can teens make mature safe decisions? That question was raised at the forum in light of the recent disappearance of 18 year old Natalee Holloway, who went missing while celebrating her high school graduation in Aruba. Amy Zhang is also a co-host of the show. "I am very much for senior class trips. I mean, I want to go on a senior class trip too, that would be great. And drinking happens, that's the reality of it, but she needed to surround herself with people she felt safe with." Was Hollaway influenced by her peers to leave the restaurant where she was last seen? That's a question that leads some to conclude teens shouldn't be allowed to take trips by themselves. Parent Bobby Love says, "It's not that I don't trust my kids, but there is just too much influence, too much peer pressure, and they are just not old enough to make the right decisions." But it's a fact that many teens drink underage. According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 87% of adults say they had their first alcoholic drink before turning 21. "We need to recognize the fact that teenagers are drinking on these senior trips. They do pose a danger, but that is why we need to start thinking smarter especially us as teenagers to represent ourselves in a better light." From week to week, the Teen Forum Show addresses several other issues teenagers are faced with. The radio show is broadcast in seven states in the Southeast, including South Carolina.

For More Information: www.teenforumshow.com

Article published Apr 22, 2005
North Henderson High School students part of national radio show

By Tiffany Barnwell
Times-News Staff Writer

Many teenagers feel no one understands them or that their opinions are not heard. On Wednesday Henderson County high school students had a chance to tell a national radio audience their views on religion and current events.
The Teen Forum Show, heard locally on WHKP-AM radio at 8 p.m. Mondays, taped an episode of the syndicated radio program at North Henderson High SchoolWednesday.
Rebecca Friend, North Henderson High's principal, along with many other clubs, students and faculty, hosted the broadcast.
"Overall, it was a great turnout. The students are very articulate andwere not afraid to speak on air," said Justin Turner, producer of the Teen Forum Show. North Henderson's band and chorus also performed on-air.
Sponsored by the Andy Thomas Radio Show, this week's show tackled current events such as dealing with the separation of church and state, courthouses and the Ten Commandments, prayer in sports and prayer in schools.
"The Teen Forum Show travels up and down the East Coast and visits areas where our affiliates are," Turner said. "With the previous promise to WHKP-1450 to visit, we landed at North Henderson. Hendersonville is beautiful and we'd love to come back soon. My crew felt like they were on vacation."
The program, which airs weekly on 20 radio stations around the United States, covers important topics such as religion, politics, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues, race, dating issues and teen violence.

Live on the Air: Teens, Alcohol and Prom

WLTX-4/13/05

See Video -http://www.wltx.com/news/news19.aspx?storyid=26557

(Columbia) - Wednesday afternoon, in a room at Spring Valley High, a panel of seven teens took opinions - live on the air - from some very honest kids.

"Today we're talking about whether or not parents should be able to hold parties at their houses after prom and allow kids to consume alcohol," says panelist Jennifer Salane.

Even though it's technically illegal, many kids, like John Hayden, say yes.

"I mean, I drink with my parents sometimes and they're fine with it," he says.

John adds, his parents know he'll drink anyway and it makes them feel better to supervise - a trend moderator Andy Thomas finds disturbing.

"Kids are drinking and they're admitting that they're drinking and they're even okay with the fact that they're drinking," Thomas says.

And while most of them are okay with it, there are still some kids like panelist Samiron Ray, who fall in the law-abiding minority.

"You think that one or two drinks, let's drink some more and when your parents are there promoting it, that's just really bad, I don't think that should be happening," Ray says.

Realistically, though, it is and that's the point of the show: find out what's really going on and then try and change it.

"We've got to come up with solutions, we don't always get all the answers out of these shows, but we get ourselves a little closer to the answers," says Thomas.

(Columbia) - Local teens are speaking out on the Minnesota shootings. Some students say their classmates are shocked and wondering what can be done to prevent this tragedy from happening at their schools.

While the addition of cameras and resource officers in many schools has improved security, some teens say more laws are needed for gun control. They also think better support systems need to be in place for troubled youth.

“During lunch (today), we talked about reaching out to kids. Trying not to alienate anyone. Hopefully that can come into play. It's just a sad time,” Amy Zhang, a Dreher High School and Teen Forum radio co-host, said.

"There has to be some type of intervention, somebody these kids can talk to. Sometime it's too far gone, too little too late. We find out something's wrong and kids are being messed with and it's too late," Dontae Huskey, a Richland Northeast senior and Teen Forum co-host, said.

Overall, students said because violence can happen anywhere, being aware of surroundings and keeping adults informed of potential problems are musts for everyone.

Publication:Laurinburg Exchange;

Date:Jan 20, 2005;

Section:Front Page;

Page Number:1

Teen forum show challenges issues

BY BENNETT HOLLEMAN STAFF REPORTER

    Teens had a chance to voice their own opinions about a very timely issue at a teen forum Wednesday afternoon held at Scotland High School.

    Going along with the observance of Martin Luther King Jr.s’ birthday this week, the nationally syndicated teen radio talk show "Teen Forum Show" broadcasted a live discussion of issues dealing with racism in American society today.

    The Teen Forum Show panel for the discussion was made up of the show’s regular members, all high school and college students. They are: Ronak Shaw, Jennifer Salane, Amy Zhang and Adrien Lake. Each student researched the topic before the show and together they began a running commentary on that particular issue, including members of the audience.

    Fenner began the discussion.

    "It’s something that a lot of people think is not an issue anymore," Fenner said. "I think it still is, especially among young people and especially on the high school level. Even though it’s swept under the carpet nowadays, it is affecting a lot of young people even if they don’t know it." Shah commented next. "We need to eliminate racism by ignoring it," Shah said. "Pretending race does not exist is how you get rid of racism." Lake disagreed with Shah. "This is something we can’t ignore,"

    "Everywhere you go, people are going to wear what they want to wear," LaQuon Jones said. "It’s part of the first amendment. If a girl comes to the prom with a confederate flag on her dress, and you think it’s wrong, just keep it to yourself. That’s her business."

    "I don’t think they should kick her out," April Patterson said. "You have to be a small-There are many black males that are very qualified but when they go and apply for a job, because of the way they look, or dress, or act, they don’t get a job. That’s not fair."

    "Affirmative action is a slap in the face," Fenner said. "You don’t need anybody telling you, ‘oh you’re getting this job because you’re black.’ You’re getting this job because you deserve it. Why should anyone want that disrespect.?"

    Zhang disagreed with Fenner.

    "There was recently a major lawsuit because (Ambercrombie and Fitch) because they only hired good looking white people," Zhang said. Affirmative action is necessary to prevent things like that."

    Shah also supported affirmative action.

    "Racists are still out there, and they hold positions that hire people," he said. "You can dress the part and act the part, but if a racist is hiring you, you are not going to get that job."

L a k e s a i d . " T h e world we live in is never going to be colorblind. There will be always black and white."

Scotland High students also commented on the issue.

Britany Strong said there is more to the issue than blacks and whites. "It’s becoming too much of a black/white issue," Strong said. "What about other races? We (Lumbee tribe) have yet to be federally recognized. We can’t even get scholarships for college. What about us?"

Thomas Brigman said segregation was a self-imposed phenomenon today.

"There is a lot of segregation in schools," Thomas Brigman said. "But I don’t think it’s a issue of racism, I think it’s more about who you feel comfortable with. It’s more the fact that you feel more comfortable with people that are your color, who go through the same things you do and are in the same situations." minded person to have a problem with a flag. Just because the flag’s around doesn’t mean you’re a slave now. It’s just a stupid dress."

    The show wrapped up with door prizes for the students participating and pizza for everyone.

    Malique Booker said the reasons for affirmative action were not as important as the opportunities it provides.

    "If I get into college, I’m just glad I’m there," Booker said. "I want the oppor tunity. So if I got in because of affir mative action, so what?"

    The group also discussed public dis plays of the confederate flag, on cloth ing over hanging on a pole. They men tioned a recent court case where Tennessee student was ejected from McLean responded to Brigman "Segregating yourself because you think people in your race have more of the same problems as you is a form of racism," she said. "I have a lot of black friends, and they go through some of the same things I go through." Fenner stated that racism is far more rampant in the south than his birthplace in the north. "Until I moved down south I never saw such rampant racism," Fenner said. "It’s crazy down here. They don’t need affirmative action in New England." Clay Brooks, however, thought different. "There are just as many people in the north that are racist," he said. Affirmative action was another important issue discussed. "Racism is not abolished," Lake said. "That’s why we need affirmative action. her prom for wearing a d r e s s with a confeder ate on it. flag

West Carteret High School senior vice-president Kyle Hay, center, shares his opinion on the lottery with Dan Fenner, co-host of the nationally syndicated teen radio talk show, The Teen Forum Show, which broadcast live Wednesday from the high school. Listening is West Carteret senior Melyssa May, left. (Cheryl Burke photo)

MOREHEAD CITY – High school junior Jamaka Gooding waved her hand, hoping to attract the attention of a woman holding a radio microphone.

Around her, about 200 West Carteret High School students also waved their hands and booed as a member of a teen-age panel spoke in favor of year-round schools.

“I’m against it because kids have summer jobs and that’s the only time they have to make money for car insurance, cars and to save money for their education,” said Jamaka after finally attracting the attention of the radio co-host.

The Teen Forum Show, a nationally syndicated radio talk show based in Columbia , S.C. , was broadcast live Wednesday from West Carteret . The show, a part of the Andy Thomas Radio Network, has a panel of young hosts who debate topics of interest to teens.

Topics Wednesday included year-round schools, vouchers for private schools and the lottery.

A tape of the show will air locally Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. on WTKF 107.3 FM and WJNC 1240 AM. It will be rebroadcast Sunday, Jan. 23, at the same time.

West Carteret students freely shared their views with the panel, which was made up of young people who attend colleges in North or South Carolina . The debate was also open to listeners across the nation who were invited to call in.

One of the radio panelists, Ronak Shah, 20, a student at the University of South Carolina , touted the benefits of year-round schools.

“You’re still spending the same amount of time in schools and you don’t waste as much time reviewing things you forgot over the summer,” he said.

This sparked a comment from Jeff Johnson, a West Carteret junior, who said the area needed a long summer for the economy.

As for the lottery, he favored the state having one to generate funds for schools.

But senior Lindsay Hannel opposed the lottery, saying citizens had a moral responsibility to watch out for others who may become addicted to gambling.

“As a community we should watch out for each other and gambling is wrong morally,” she said. “Gambling can be an addictive thing.”

Co-host Dan Fenner, 19, a student at the University of South Carolina , was against vouchers.

“I’m against giving away federal dollars to subsidize families who are already rich enough to send kids to private schools,” he said.

West Carteret senior Lindsey Lewis said vouchers would take money away from public school programs that are already suffering.

“Public schools are already not getting enough for fine arts, and if they cut money they’ll just take more away from the arts,” she said.

But radio co-host Adrien Lake , 18, a student at Midlands Technical College , said parents should have a right to choose.

“If you are a parent who wants to take your child out of a failing school to put them in a better school, you should have the right,” she said.

Following the show Mr. Fenner, who has co-hosted the show for two years, said he was impressed with responses of West Carteret students.

“They were fabulous,” he said. “They were very vocal and not a bit shy to share their views.”

He added that he was impressed with the school’s band, which played brief songs at the beginning of each segment following commercial breaks.

The concept for the Teen Forum Show started with Andy Thomas in 1986. The current show, established in 2000, is produced and staffed by teens under the direction of Mr. Thomas’ son, 21-year-old Michael Thomas.

The show features a regular diverse, eight-member, all-teen crew that travels frequently to high schools, colleges and businesses around the United States that attract teens, such as Paramount Carowinds Theme Park.

The show tackles a variety of issues besides those debated Wednesday. Other issues include gangs, presidential politics, race, teen discrimination, homosexuality, drug and alcohol use and sexual issues.

Teen Forum Show, a nationally syndicated teen radio show, will broadcast live from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today at Plex Indoor Sports in Northeast Richland.

The show will include more than 100 students from Richland District 2’s high schools. The show will air on WOIC 1230 AM, ESPN Radio.