The Latest Archives

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…

Muzzle Hazelwood with strong journalism,
status as an open public forum

Dean v. Utica Community Schools, 2004 Quick Tip 25: Student First Amendment Rights by Jan Ewell The principal of Utica High School told the student newspaper, the Arrow, to cut an article by student journalist Katy Dean, as well as an accompanying editorial and an editorial cartoon. The students had written about a couple, Rey…

Decision-making for most student broadcasts
protected same as print, online QT24

As more schools expand their journalism programs to include broadcast and radio, it should be clear how Tinker and Hazelwood positively or negatively affect broadcast programs. The answer is: it depends. If they go out over the broadcast airways, Federal Communications Commission regulations apply. If not, they are not subject to the broadcast-only regulations. But…

FAPFA reminder

by John Bowen, MJE It’s never too late to recognize or reaffirm the importance of First Amendment practices and policies – and be recognized for it – by applying for this year’s FAPFA award. Until Dec. 15, that is. This First Amendment Press Freedom Award recognizes high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and…

Responsibility in scholastic media starts with
ethics, accuracy, complete story QT23

Administrators may want student media that depicts the school in a positive light, that promotes good news and overlooks the negative. Is this responsible journalism? Advisers may want student media that reflects students’ technical proficiency such as mechanics, grammar and style. Little else matters. Is this responsible journalism? Students may want to preserve tradition, give…