Broadcast Journalism

Photo Credit: Biddeford Public Access
Justin Chenette was born in rural Vermont but grew up in Florida and Maine. Even before obtaining his driver's license, Justin already had media and political credentials.
When Justin was 12 years old, he co-anchored the internal morning news broadcast at his middle school. Co-anchoring PNN, the Parrot News Network, opened his eyes to an exciting new passion ready to spread its wings and soar.
At his high school in Saco, Thornton Academy, Justin became the first freshman ever to be in the Advanced TV Productions class. There he learned the ins and outs of the media industry and the basics of TV production. Coinciding with the class, Justin joined Saco's Educational Station known as TATV Channel 3. TATV is a student-run station that broadcasts to over 10,000 people on the Time Warner Cable channel.
At TATV, Justin quickly worked his way through the ranks becoming the Executive Producer for 2 years and then Station Manager his senior year. In addition to holding leadership positions, he also carried out on-air and other off-air responsibilities.
As producer and host for TATV's weekly public affairs show, The Issue, Justin has interviewed over 50 politicians and candidates. When he created the show in 2006, he never expected the impact he would have on the community around him. Justin has produced over 55 episodes in 3 highly successful seasons. In addition, he moderated Saco's 1st Televised Mayoral Forum and produced/hosted 3 live election results shows.
Aside from TATV, Justin interned with the Community Television Network Channel 5 in Portland for two years as a mere freshman and sophomore in high school. There Justin became familiar with the day to day operations of a working public access station. He was given the opportunity to produce a number of TV packages for their popular show Portland Profiles.
During the summer of 2009, Justin was hired by a national online news organization known as Palestra.net, as a multimedia reporter. At Palrestra, Justin produced weekly news packages for their college network website that shares a content partnership with Fox News.
In May of 2010, Justin was hired by Biddeford Public Acess Channel 3 as a Media Trainer. His job was to create and facilitate a summer training program for middle and high school students around the topic of broadcast journalism.
Currently, Justin holds the position of Moderator of Youth in Politics, Anchor of Action News, Multimedia Contributor for The Critic, Radio Talkshow Host for WWLR 91.5 FM, Host of Political Pulse, and Host of Justin Chenette Reports.
Youth in Politics is a weekly political forum show on WPXT Channel 12 and WPME Channel 17 airing statewide. In over 2 years being on the show, Justin has hosted over 30 episodes of this highly successful series. He even had the distinct honor of moderating the 1st District Congressional Forum during the 2008 Elections. Actions News is a weekly news show on Biddeford Public Access Channel 3.
As a Multimedia Contributer for Lyndon State College's student-run newspaper, The Critic, Justin is able to cover news around campus and community by producing video content featured on the paper's website. He also produces and hosts the first ever weekly video column for the paper.
As host of The Justin Chenette Radio Show on WWLR 91.5FM, Justin covers national headlines, politics, and entertainment news mixed with a variety of music in a weekly two hour program. The show was recently named the Best Talk Show of 2010 on WWLR 91.5FM.
Politics, Government, & Leadership
Jumping from broadcasting into politics, Justin has been very active in local and state government.
At age 11, Justin worked as a campaign assistant for his step-father's run as a local school board candidate. Activities included petition collection, sign posting, campaign material distribution, and secretarial duties. This sparked his interest in the field of politics.
From elementary school through high school, Justin served in a number of elected leadership positions in student council including class representative, secretary, and vice president foreshadowing the next chapter in Justin's political career.
In April of 2008, Maine Governor John Baldacci appointed him to serve on the Maine State Board of Education for a 16-month term. As the first Student Member on the board, it was his job to represent the youth voice of Maine when discussing matters of statewide educational policy. He was a staunch advocate for increased civic engagement curriculum, high school voter registration drives, and increased drug prevention programs. Justin served as an active member of the Student Voices Committee.
Over the summer of 2008, Justin interned with the Maine Democratic Party and learned some of the inner workings and operations of a political party. As a youth organizer, he setup several youth-2-youth phone banks and canvassed to get the word out to vote. The following year, the Maine chapter of Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership elected Justin as Public Relations Director. He is currently serving his first term being in charge of all communications sent out by the Alumni Board from newsletters to video updates. Justin will not seek re-election in late 2010.
During the June 2010 primary, Justin served as an election worker both before and during the election. His work included answering phones, ward allocation, ballot box supervision, and voter registration.
Currently, Justin works as a media intern with the City of Saco utilizing his media skills coupled with his interest in local government. He is responsible for producing a series of videos showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at the Departments of the City as well as news packages pertaining to important local topics. The videos aired on the City's website, Facebook page, and local educational TV station. He was also hired as a public relations consultant for numerous political candidates including an independent gubernatorial candidate, a State Senator, and a State Representative.
Whether his broadcast journalism experience or his political background, Justin shows his commitment to holding leaders accountable for their actions and inactions. He continuously proves his passion for informing individuals so that they can become active citizens in this democracy and of our global community. Justin Chenette looks forward to the very exciting career ahead of him. He is majoring in Broadcast News with double minors in Media Communications and Political Science at Lyndon State College with graduation planned in 2012.
Career Highlights:
- KATV Channel 7 Host (Coming Soon)
- Freelance PR Consultant
- Media Trainer at Biddeford Public Access
- City of Saco Media Intern
- Host/Producer of "JC Reports" on TATV Channel 3
- Host/Executive Producer of "Political Pulse" on Biddeford Public Access 3
- Radio Talkshow Host for The Justin Chenette Radio Show on WWLR 91.5FM
- Staff Writer/Multimedia Contributor for LSC's student-run newspaper The Critic
- Multimedia Reporter for UWIRE.com/Palestra.net
- PR Director w/ Hugh O' Brian Youth Leadership Maine Alumni Board
- Anchor/Executive Producer of the Biddeford Public Access 3 "Action News"
- Moderator of YNETV's "Youth in Politics"
- Maine State Board of Education Student Member
- TATV Channel 3 Station Manager
- News Editor/Staff Writer for "Carpe Diem" (high school paper)
- TATV Channel 3's "Academy Connections" Co-Anchor/Reporter
- Maine Democratic Party Intern
- TATV Channel 3's "The Issue" Host/Producer
- Community Television Network Intern
- TATV Channel 3's Executive Producer
- Video Production Contractor for MMCPHO
- Parrot News Network Co-Anchor (middle school)