The Omega Returns: A New Era of Student Journalism at TRU
Exciting Relaunch Event to Celebrate this Bold New Era
Thompson Rivers University
February 16, 2025
10:00 PM PST
KAMLOOPS, Feb. 16, 2025 — The Omega, the official student newspaper of Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is making a victorious comeback with an exciting relaunch event happening on April 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the TRU Grand Hall. This milestone event will mark a new chapter in the publication’s history, celebrating its past and new commitment to providing meaningful, engaging, and impactful news for the TRU student body and the Kamloops community.
The Omega is currently published online, with plans to reintroduce a print edition in the upcoming year. It is run by the Cariboo Student Newspaper Society, a registered non-profit organization, and all TRU students in good standing are active members. The society’s board of directors meets monthly to oversee the publication. The Omega adheres to Canadian standards for high-quality journalism and uses ethical reporting practices.
The relaunch event will feature important speeches from Sean Brady (Manager) and Robert McAlaster (Editor-in-Chief), who will reflect on The Omega’s legacy, discussing its important role in campus life and its future goals. Additionally, attendees will take advantage of networking opportunities with academic and student journalists and enjoy live music, interactive booths displaying previous and upcoming content. The Omega will also start new projects, including a plan to focus more on digital content, offer more opportunities for student writers, and create a special section for investigative journalism covering local and student topics.
“The content we publish must be legal, of course,” Brady emphasized. “What gets posted in the newspaper is based on eight key news values that ensure we deliver timely and relevant news to our audience.” Initially, The Omega focused on hard news with content geared toward an older audience. “Now, we include a broader range of topics, from sports to culture, to better represent the diverse interests of TRU students,” Brady explained. Since its relaunch, nine issues have been printed. “The magazine is printed last at the print office, and it takes about two days before it’s placed in racks around the school,” said Brady.
Since its beginning, The Omega has provided students with a platform to express their opinions, cover campus events, and develop media skills. The relaunch represents a shift towards more digital content, better connection with the community, and a bigger presence on social media. To further support its new efforts, The Omega is starting a mentorship program that will connect students with professional journalists and media industry experts.
This relaunch is important because student opinions are more important than ever at the moment of the relaunch. The Omega has played an important role in reporting TRU’s most significant stories, and this new direction will influence campus conversations and give students valuable resources. It will be adapting to modern trends and covering issues directly affecting TRU students, faculty, and staff. Attendees will get an exclusive preview of upcoming investigative stories.
The Omega currently prints 500 copies per month. Initially focused on hard news for an older audience, it has expanded to include sports and culture to engage a broader readership. Pitch meetings are held Mondays at 5 PM in OM 2622, and the Omega Magazine office is in OM 2768.
The relaunch event will also include a Q&A panel with alumni journalists who have gone on to successful careers in the media industry, sharing their experiences and insights with attendees. TRU students, faculty, and Kamloops residents are encouraged to attend the event, explore The Omega’s latest initiatives, and support student journalism. For more information, visit theomega. news
Contact
Thompson Rivers University
Esther George – Nsoribe
Distribution plan
To maximize the reach and effect of The Omega’s relaunch event, the press release will be distributed through the following strategic channels:
- TRU’s Official Channels: TRU’s website, student newsletters, and email lists aimed at teachers and students will all receive the press release. These platforms will ensure the event is widely promoted within the university.
- Social Media Campaigns: The press release will be shared across Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, along with the use of hashtags like #TheOmegaRelaunch and #TRUStudentNews. This will engage current students and draw new followers to The Omega’s digital platforms.
- Local Media Outlets: To increase its awareness outside of campus and involve the larger Kamloops community, the press release will be distributed to important local media outlets like CBC Kamloops, Kamloops This Week, and CFJC Today Kamloops.
- Targeted Student and Faculty: Professors, student organizations, and TRU employees will all receive a direct press release encouraging them to spread the word about the event within their networks and in classrooms.
- Alumni and Community Engagement: Local businesses, TRU alumni, and other community leaders will receive the press release to build a relationship with the larger TRU and Kamloops community.
This distribution plan will help ensure that a large and engaged audience sees the relaunch event.
Distribution List:
- CBC Kamloops – Online and radio news coverage
CBC has a large audience in Kamloops and offers radio and online news. Getting them to cover the event can increase awareness and give it a credible and professional public image.
Phone: 2503746802, Email: kamloops@cbc.ca
- CFJC Today Kamloops – Local Tv and online news
This local media outlet has a strong following in Kamloops and surrounding areas. Their coverage can attract potential attendees by expanding the event’s reach outside of the university and into the neighbourhood.
Phone: 2508513204, Email: Kamloops-newsroom@pattisonmedia.com
- Kamloops This Week – Print and digital publication
A widely read local newspaper, both in print and online. By getting coverage here, you’ll reach a wide range of Kamloops residents who may be interested in supporting or attending the event.
Phone: 2503747467
- Kudakwashe Mutizhe (Executive of TRUSU Entertainment Committee)
This committee is already in charge of planning a lot of events on campus on TRU that have great turnouts so they have access to resources that can help make that event a success
Email: w.kuda@trusu.ca
- Heather Macleod – Interim Department Chair of Faculty of Arts
She can help promote the event to faculty and students in journalism, media, and related fields through departmental channels.
Phone: 2508285149, Email: hmacleod@tru.ca
- Loshima Shongo – The International Students’ Representative
She can help promote the event to TRU’s diverse international student community and ensuring larger engagement through student networking
Email: l.shongo@tru.ca
- Radio NL – Local talk radio station
As a well-known local talk radio station, Radio NL can promote the event through their programming, reaching commuters and other listeners who may not be on social media but are interested in local news.
Phone: 2503722292, Email: info@radionl.com
- Gregory Anderson – Dean of the Faculty of Science
He can help promote the event to science students and faculty, expanding The Omega’s reach beyond arts and journalism to include diverse academic perspectives and interests.
Phone: 2508527137, Email: ganderson@tru.ca
- Dr. Michael Henry – Dean of School of Business
He can help promote the event to business students and faculty, encouraging future entrepreneurs, marketers, and leaders to contribute to The Omega’s coverage.
Phone: 2508526290, Email: mihenry@tru.ca
- Baldev Pooni – Dean of Trades and Technology
He can help promote the event to students in this field, ensuring The Omega reaches a wider audience and includes diverse perspectives from TRU’s trade and technology programs.
Phone: 2508285110, Email: bpooni@tru.ca
- Adam Florence – Asssistant Teaching Professor in Culinary Arts
He can help promote the event to students in culinary programs, engaging them with content related to food, culture, and student life that may align with The Omega’s expanded coverage.
Phone: 2503715953, Email: aflorence@tru.ca
- Dr. Robert Higgins – Co-chair and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Faculty
He can help promote the event to students and faculty within the biological sciences, showing them the importance of student journalism to a diverse academic community.
Phone: 2508285452, Email: rhiggins@tru.ca
- TRU Student life
It is a great contact because it reaches a large audience of current students, promoting the event through Instagram and engaging them with visual content that aligns with student interests and campus life.
Instagram: trustudentlife
- TRU Newsletter
It reaches a wide audience of students, faculty, and staff. Putting the press release in it ensures it’s seen by individuals who regularly read updates and are engaged with campus life.
Email: celt@tru.ca
- Kamloops Community Facebook Group
This group is a great way to connect with community members who might not be directly connected with TRU. A wider community connection can be developed, attract possible attendees from outside the university, and develop interest by posting the press release in this group.
Facebook: Kamloops Community (facebook group)