Alabama State University strives to encourage its students to produce excellent products, with student control over content and process in order to maximize learning.  As an essential part of fulfilling this philosophy, the Student Media Board ensures sound fiscal policies and cares for resources for the long term. 

Student Media offers students the opportunity to gain experience in print and online media, advertising sales, marketing, photography, videography and desktop publishing. Student Media consists of The Hornet Tribune (campus newspaper), The Hornet Tribune Online (electronic arm of The Hornet Tribune), ENVISAGE (general-interest magazine), The Equinox (literary magazine), and the HORNET (yearbook).  

 
Each medium has its own adviser who exerts no control over content but trains, critiques, advocates for the staff as necessary, and helps make sure the staff has the resources it needs to get the job done.  The training and coaching comes first, then the advisers step back and let the students work without editing or censoring.  Generally, the advisers do not see content before publication, but rather do critiques afterwards.  It is the student editors, chosen by an independent Student Media Board, who hire their staffs and decide on all editorial content and advertising policy.  This model separates the students from administrative control, allowing them to be a true and independent voice of the students, and places them in a real-world context where they make decisions for which they must then take responsibility.

Each medium is supported by seven support student staffs:  Financial Services, Online Services, Public Affairs, Presentation and Design, Media Advertising, Multimedia Services and Visual Services.  All students are invited to participate in one or more media groups regardless of their major, classification or previous experience.  Volunteer and paid positions are available.  In addition to obtaining specialized skills, many students have used their experiences to earn internships and jobs following graduation.