The Latest Archives

Respecting privacy and public space
important for photographers, too QT47

Student journalists should never invade the privacy of others while accessing information or photos for a story. However. it is their journalistic duty to know what constitutes invasion of privacy or what spaces they are legally allowed to access and what spaces they are not legally allowed to access. Student journalists should check the legal…

Make it matter: Verification essential
as journalists seek truth QT46

by Kristin Taylor One key component of every journalist’s ethical code is truth. Given that Oxford Dictionaries named “post-truth” their 2016 word of the year and the president has called venerable traditional news sources “fake news,” getting the facts right is more crucial than ever. Verifying information is an essential part of the reporting process….

Make it matter: Scholastic journalism
must do more than give facts QT45

by Kristin Taylor How can student journalists keep their publications relevant when information spreads faster than they can report it? Professional journalists have struggled with this problem for years. Before the advent of the internet and social media, news producers — whether newspaper, radio or broadcast — were citizens’ primary source of information. News consumers…

Student should ask permission to record
before interviews begin QT 44

As school begins, advisers often find now is the time for some legal and ethical reminders about interviewing. One of those areas easily overlooked is asking for permission to record interviews. Ethically — and in some states legally — students should always ask permission to record an interview. A good practice is to start recording…

Interviewing ‘people on the street’ QT43

Four categories of sources exist: experts, authorities, knowledgeable and reactors (sometimes called bozos). The first three should be credible. The last not so much. Why ask “what do you think about the tax levy?” if the person has no knowledge at all? If he has little background on the issues but says, “It’s not necessary…

Another 45 essential words

by John Bowen, MJE In building a journalism program around the 45 words below, no journalist should be limited by Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, which impacts society in a variety of ways, some not immediately visible. Student journalists need: Truthseeking Truthtelling Accuracy Honesty Completeness Context Credibility Reliability Ethical fitness Independence Transparency Diversity of ideas Student…

Quick Tips index

A summary of SPRC Forum status of student media • If you’re developing a new policy, the Scholastic Press Rights Committee recommends using language something like this: [Name of publication] is a designated public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without prior review from school officials. Prior review v. prior restraint In…

‘I just wrote that to get a grade:’
Students should write what they believe QT42

Guideline: For opinion stories, students should stand behind what they write. Key points/Action: To ensure credibility, students should only write opinion stories that represent their beliefs. If, during the research phase, the student changes his or her mind, then the story should be reassigned or the content of the story be altered to reflect the…

The process of deciding staff editorials QT41

Keys to effective editorials include focused positions, credible sources and meaningful topics. If the topic is focused on issues and problems, strong editorials include a call to action or possible solutions. Ideas for topics should be discussed throughout the deadline cycle. The editorial board will select the topic, and a member of the editorial board…

Letters and commentary can enhance pubic forum role QT40

Publishing letters to the editor is another way of fulfilling student media’s forum obligations to engage audiences through journalistic responsibility. That said, students should establish clear criteria for identifying the authors, receiving and verifying the information. Such viewpoint neutral guidelines do not violate the author’s free expression rights. Letters to the Editor are opportunities for…

Accepting guest commentaries
enhances forum role QT 39

Accepting guest commentaries, offered randomly, reinforces student media’s role as a public forum for student expression. This would not include the creation of stranding guest columns for administrations, faculty or other school or city officials. Students should develop guidelines for accepting guest commentaries following the same legal and ethical guides they follow. Guideline: Guest commentaries…

Obstacles and criticism can inspire

by Lindsay Coppens, adviser of The Harbinger, Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough, MA Being a scholastic journalist or publication adviser isn’t always easy. Sure, there are days when everything falls into place and journalists are thanked and congratulated for their hard work. However, if each print issue or online post was easy to produce and…