The Latest
Solutions Journalism
Solutions Journalism doesn’t offer its solution to issues. It does report on what others haveworked and what has not by Kristin Taylor David Bornstein co-authors the “Fixes” column in the New York Times, a column focused on solutions journalism. In his 2012 TED talk, Bornstein explains why he has pursued solutions in his investigative journalism…
Seeking journalistic truth
Helping student journalists to seek the truth by Kristin Taylor What does it mean to be truthful? Is truthfulness accurate numbers and statistics? Multiple points of view? Context to help the reader understand the time and place and other circumstances? All of the above? Journalistic truth “means much more than mere accuracy,” according the seminal…
The importance of linking to reporting
Links in online reporting provides context, credibility and transparency for coverage by Kristin Taylor You can’t click on a print newspaper, so why should we include links in digital stories? The Nieman Foundation provides four main purposes for adding links: Links are good for storytelling. Links keep the audience informed. Links are a currency of collaboration….
Public or independent schools:
Whose expression is protected is complex
School type, court decisions state laws and how student media are established can all have a role by Kristin Taylor If public school student journalists face censorship, they can turn to the First Amendment. Because public schools are funded by the government, school officials are government agents. Private (also known as “independent”) schools are not…
Transparency
Transparency maintains credibility, strengthens reporting Guideline In order to maintain credibility, student reporters and editors should strive to be transparent in all aspects of their reporting. This includes revealing within the text of a story how interviews were obtained (if anything other than an in-person interview is used), giving proper attribution to direct quotes, as…
Unnamed sources should be used sparingly …
… and only after students evaluate how the value of the information balances with the problems such sources create Journalism is based on truth and accuracy. Using unnamed sources risks both of those standards. For that reason, students should seek sources willing to speak on the record. Unnamed sources should be used sparingly and only after…
Standards for accepting non-staff content
Standards for non-staff generated content (including student media ads) Guideline: Our publication will not accept advertising content that includes profanity, obscenity or nudity (with the exception of baby pictures for the personal ads). The editors reserve the right to edit all copy for style or to refuse an ad on the basis of its content….
Becoming a public forum for student expression
The importance of public forums in student media Guideline All student media publications should strive to be a “public forum for student expression” in order to be granted more protection under current free press laws. Question: What is a “public forum for student expression?” Why is it important for student media outlets to be designated…
Fighting self-censorship
Advisers should oppose student self-censorship, empower decision-making Advisers and students should oppose attempts at both internal and external censorship. However, that does not equate with student media covering topics that lack journalistic merit or don’t satisfy a journalistic function. Students should journalistically examine and evaluate media content. Social media post/question: Why should advisers actively oppose censorship?…
Promote online coverage with facts, without hype
When promoting, leave the rah-rah to the cheerleaderd. Supply the facts. Guideline: Staffs should have clear guidelines for the tone of information published in social media. Although tweets are often used to promote people or events, that’s not the job of news media — student-run or otherwise. Remember to be a journalist all the time and…
New Quick Tips listing can help provide
solutions, guides to media issues
Working on a sensitive story? Looking to add new ethical guidelines to help students deal with new technology? Want to finalize the process to use if students wish to run political ads or endorsements? Quick Tips can help with ethical guidelines supported by reasoning and staff manual procedures to reach outcomes you desire. If you…
Censorship leads to fake news
Prior-review/censor guideline /policy Journalists often are considered mirrors on society. As such, journalism should reflect the community in which it is produced. In order to also maintain their watchdog function, journalists must also be able to act as candles that illuminate and challenge a community’s values and preconceptions. Monitoring the status quo and the powers that…