Along with the three traditional branches of government, there exists a "fourth" arm of public policy - namely, the media. Boys State has no exceptions to this unique aspect of the political process. Each city at Boys State chooses one citizen to serve the reporter for that city. That reporter will either work as a correspondent for the statewide daily newspaper, The Boys Statement or serve on the WFBS-TV News Team.
By the end of the week each reporter compiles an article on his city to be included in the Boys State yearbook to be distributed later in the summer.
The second, and most detailed role, is to serve as a correspondent with the Boys State press corps. As a reporter, he is assigned to one of these specific duties:
Editor-In-Chief of The Boys Statement
Associate Editor
Opinion/Question of the Day Editor
Feature Writer
Photo Editor
Photographer
Staff Writer
News Director of WFBS-TV News
News Anchor
News Producer
Correspondent
Reporters develop a daily newspaper and television broadcast that cover stories such as local, legislative and statewide elections; the party convention process; the actions of the Legislature; the court system, etc. In this capacity, they interview candidates for office, party leaders, legislators and other officials.
Finally, as in any regular political campaign, reporters often serve as the moderators and questioners of candidates during debates. The Boys Statement and WFBS-TV staffs are responsible for this during the gubernatorial debate. The Editor-In-Chief of The Boys Statement acts as the debate's moderator and six reporters comprise the panel of journalists asking questions of the two candidates for governor on issues of policy and planning.
