The Latest – Page 27

Social media that works
in high school newsrooms QT33

Social media has had such a profound effect on journalism that it’s sometimes hard to remember how traditional news functioned before it. Reading this 2009 MediaShift article is a powerful reminder that Twitter wasn’t always the source of breaking news. In fact, as author Julie Posetti wrote just eight years ago, “Some employers are either…

Reflections on the Dallas convention

by Cyndi Hyatt Everything really is BIG in Texas. And the 2017 JEA/NSPA convention in Dallas was no exception. More than 5,000 attendees celebrated student journalism. I was awed and inspired by the BIG voices of the student journalists whose passion and enthusiasm for what they do is more important than ever. The Dallas conference…

Academic dishonesty lessens media effectiveness QT32

Dishonesty compromises the integrity and credibility of the student publication. The editorial board and/or adviser should address any instance of academic misconduct immediately. Student editors should develop a clear process for handling academic dishonesty. Both media staff and school policies may dictate consequences for academic dishonesty. In addition to school consequences, other approaches could include…

Journalists shouldn’t be ‘pawn in game of life’

by Stan Zoller, MJE A classic scene from Mel Brooks’ classic, “Blazing Saddles,” is when the ox-riding Neanderthal, Mongo, played by the late Alex Karras, professes to Bart the Sheriff, played by the late Cleavon Little, that “Mongo only pawn in game of life.” It’s a funny scene, but when you apply the “pawn…

Ethical photo editing, visuals QT31

Guideline: Student media should avoid electronic manipulation that alters the truth of a photograph unless it is used as art. In that case it should be clearly labeled as a photo illustration. Social Media Post: Filters are fun on social media, but are they journalistic? How do you know when editing crosses the line to…

Equipment purchase does not mean content control QT30

It has long been understood that school purchase of equipment or provision of a room that is not the only factor in who controls the content. There other factors, including a guiding court decision. According to Antonelli v. Hammond, “We are well beyond the belief that any manner of state regulation is permissible simply because…

Revisit your mission to empower scholastic journalists

by Lindsay Coppens, adviser of The Harbinger, Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough, MA Hopefully your publication has a mission statement as a key part of the editorial policies in your staff handbook. Even better, this mission statement is revisited and, if needed, revised at the start of each year. Who revisits and revises it? Not…

Ethical guidelines for monitoring yearbook coverage QT29

Arguably, the two biggest complaints most yearbook staffs hear are that a wide cross section of the school is not covered adequately, and quotes are not represented accurately. These are tough criticisms to hear, but staffs must consider the potential criticism while they create the book. Putting the yearbook together is hard work, but the…

Journalistic integrity guides student media QT28

As scholastic media advisers and students develop policies and guidelines to guide them with journalism standards, they should note these words: The only thing students have to lose as journalists is their credibility. HL Hall, former JEA president, would tell ASNE High School Institute advisers this over a 14-year span. He would pair it with…

The next Woodward and Bernstein
may be in your journalism class now

by Candace Perkins Bowen, MJE Some say the next wave of great investigative journalists may be getting inspired now. Do you have a Pulitzer winner on YOUR staff? Are you teaching someone who could investigate the next Watergate break-in? What can you do to encourage him or her? Sure, plenty of problems face today’s reporters:…

What, students have rights? Since 1943
(West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette)

Quick Tip27: Student First Amendment rights by Jan Ewell Before the Barnette decision, when students came into conflict with public schools, the courts decided their cases—often against the students—without mentioning students’ right. They considered if the punishment was excessive (beating with a rawhide strap was okay in 1859). They also debated if it was the…

Dealing with unwanted, forced prior review? QT26

by John Bowen, MJE JEA historically has opposed prior review of student media by school officials. That opposition continues. Prior review leads only to control, active censorship and iis the first step toward the spread of fake news and less than complete disinformation. Students and advisers, though, may have no immediate choice but to be…