Insights

Is the school board one of your beats? Part 1

Here’s why it should be and how to do it right Part 1 – Why covering school boards is important This three-part blog has it all: an explanation of the need for good coverage of school board issues, the legal and ethical concerns for this reporting, and the writing skills to effectively tell your audience…

Insights

Local media, local strength

Back in the 1970s, when newspapers reigned supreme, Time, Inc. considered buying two suburban Chicago weekly chains to create a suburban daily newspaper. A federal anti-trust suit ruled against Time’s effort and the plan was dropped – but not before Time executives started a campaign touting the idea. Part of their efforts included a catch…

Insights

What is the purpose of your student publication?

Developing student-led mission statements and a culture covering stories that matter can serve both school and local communities. Many years ago, I was confronted by an angry parent after a long production meeting. She felt her daughter, an editor, spent too much time working on the paper. “This isn’t the New York Times!” she reminded…

Insights

Video series gives crash course in press rights issues

If you’re looking for a quick refresher on press rights issues, a potential class bellringer or something to spark discussions in class, check out this video series created by SPRC member Tripp Robbins. The series, which Robbins created for his MJE project, delves into issues from FERPA to hate speech to covering protests. Robbins worked…

Insights

New frontiers: Voting as speech

Overview In this lesson, students will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, voting rights and the First Amendment. By analyzing how AI can influence the democratic process, including voter suppression, gerrymandering and misinformation, students will also consider voting as a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. They will discuss whether restrictions on voting…

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Free expression and us album: Music, the First Amendment and textual analysis

Overview This project integrates knowledge of the First Amendment with students’ favorite form of entertainment: music. Students will critically analyze song lyrics and themes, connecting them to First Amendment rights. They will work in groups to create an “album” that teaches others about freedom of speech, press, religion, petition, and assembly, demonstrating their comprehension through…

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12 ways to teach the 2024 election with The New York Times

The New York Times offers engaging, adaptable strategies to help educators explore the 2024 election with their students in meaningful ways, just in time for Constitution Day activities. The guide features 12 diverse teaching methods, encouraging students to reflect on their identities, understand the Electoral College, monitor misinformation, and follow political news. It also includes…

Insights

Artificial intelligence, the First Amendment and democracy

Overview This lesson explores the implications of artificial intelligence on the First Amendment, focusing on freedom of speech and the press. With AI technologies evolving rapidly, students will critically analyze how AI might influence public discourse, truth and accountability. Students will also explore the potential legal ramifications of AI-generated content and the challenges it poses…

Insights

Covering protests: Do’s and Don’ts of the biggest story this year

One of the biggest news stories this month is the protests on a growing number of college campuses. Not surprisingly, if these are near your school – or maybe even if they are not – your media staffs have considered covering them. They’re certainly newsworthy: timeliness, significance, in many cases proximity and maybe even some…

Insights

Does prior review have educational value?

Or, what students learn when they submit to prior review? From SPRC Vault 2 | Prior Review The last From the SPRC Vault focused on April Fools and other knowingly false and potentially dangerous publishing. It is potentially dangerous because it could lead to legal, ethical and negative situations that bring prior review, fear of negative public…

Insights

Ungagging your reporting is essential for transparency, accountability

Want to get your news consumers to read a story? Give them a good, no great, lede. A good lede will not only get them to read a story, but may very well captivate them as well. But this piece isn’t about lede writing. It’s from the Society of Professional Journalists’ update to its ongoing…

Insights

From the SPRC vaults

It’s that time of the year again. Potentially, a time for fools, wills and disasters instead of credibility. Issues raised often irk groups and individual alike. Others laugh and downplay the falsity. Created by the famous, everyday citizens and a few who want to be comedians, the spread of publishing such ideas and events challenge…