CNN’s “Reliable Sources” will begin regular tapings in the Jack Morton Auditorium Oct. 6, the University announced this week.

Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz hosts the hour-long program, which airs once a week and will be taped once a month at GW. Kurtz examines trends in journalism and its impact on current events.

Kurtz told The Hatchet in a phone interview that he’s excited to have GW students in the audience. Audience members are encouraged to ask Kurtz and his guests questions on the air.

“On ‘Reliable Sources’ we talk a lot about what the public thinks about how journalists cover news and it really helps to be able to hear directly from consumers of news rather than guessing what they might think,” Kurtz said.

The first episode will likely focus on issues surrounding the war in Iraq and the upcoming congressional elections, Kurtz said.

GW is in the fifth year of a six-year contract with CNN that requires CNN to produce a certain number of hours of televised shows in the Jack Morton Auditorium, said Director of Media Relations Tracy Schario.

Since the agreement was signed in 2002, CNN has taped “Crossfire” and “On the Story” in the Jack Morton Auditorium.

“Crossfire” had taped at GW for three years between 2002 and 2005, while “On the Story” logged only one year’s worth of taping in the Jack Morton Auditorium before it was dropped from the CNN lineup.

According to Vice President for Communications Michael Freedman, the University’s relationship with a news agency like CNN is unique.

“There is no other University that has a partnership with a news network,” Freedman said. “That’s a very cool relationship, and it’s a win-win situation for GW.”

Students interested in obtaining tickets to a taping of “Reliable Sources,” which airs Sunday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m., should e-mail [email protected]. Tickets for the monthly tapings are free.