The Latest
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What we learn by covering tragedy
by Lori Keekley When I first signed up for this week’s blog, I was excited to write because it’s Banned Books Week. However, I scrapped that plan Monday when I learned about the shootings in Las Vegas. So, instead of my original plan of blogging about overt censorship, I’m working to help students learn to…
Covering controversy QT17
Journalism is not public relations. Although some administrators would like for students to only publish “positive” stories, a journalist’s job is to watch and report on the school. This may involve students including stories that might make the school “look bad.” When students cover stories, such as a drastic dip in standardized test scores, the…
The importance of staff editorials QT16
Student editors are busy. In addition to leading their staffs, making publication decisions and helping reporters, they are likely also still reporting and creating their own news content — not to mention carrying a full academic high school load. Given all of these responsibilities, it’s easy to see why writing an unsigned staff editorial might…
Who should be on student media editorial boards, make decisions? QT15
Because student media are productions of student work, only students should be on editorial boards of student media. That would include the general manager and producers of broadcast media. Generally, student editors make up editorial boards. Some may have student staffers attend and vote if so desired. Editorial board meetings can normally be open to…
Fake news is like a social disease;
we need to treat more than its wounds
by John Bowen, MJE The spread of fake news is like a socially transmitted disease for which we now only treat the wounds, Kelly McBride, Vice President, The Pointer Institute, told those attending the Fake or Fact? workshop Sept.22 at Kent State University. What we figure how, she said, is how to stop the epidemic….
Publishing memes also means
knowing copyright rules QT14
Memes. Entertainment. Political statements. A way to comment on issues, events, people. And, if not done correctly, says Mark Goodman, Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism, a way to violate the owner’s copyright. A violation several owners pursued. If it’s not considered fair use, student media could be sued for copyright infringement or receive a letter…
Takedown requests: when the right to preserve history conflicts with the desire to forget it QT13
Blog by Kristin Taylor As more student newspapers move to digital platforms, editors and advisers are facing a new and insidious form of post-publication censorship: takedown requests. The requests usually go something like this: “I was a student at [fill in name] high school [fill in number] years ago, and I was interviewed/wrote a story/was…
Allowing sources to preview content
is ethically questionable QT12
The newest reporter on staff chooses to cover the story about the Science Department’s new policy on studying animal life. To do so, she must interview the head about a new policy on studying animal life. It’s fairly controversial because People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is strongly opposed to dissection and the…
Fake or Fact? seminar available
via live-streaming, archived video
Looking for additional materials for Constitution Day and lessons about fake news in addition to what’s available from JEA and the SPRC? The 13th annual Poynter-Kent State University Media Ethics Workshop is Thursday, Sept. 21, and focuses on fake news. The theme is “Fake or Fact?” Details about the workshop, including speaker bios and a tentative schedule, are here….
The issues with April Fools coverage QT 11
April Fool’s issues are fake news and can damage student media’s credibility. Yes, some find them acceptable, but their negatives far outweigh their positives. The ultimate question is are they worth the risks? As a publication that strives for authentic, storytelling journalism for your community, breaking that convention for a satirical, or even mean, publication…
So your student media
want to do senior wills? QT10
Because senior wills have minimal journalistic value and great potential for damage, they should not be used in school publications. Seniors wills have been dying a slow death in high school yearbooks. Yes, students love them, but can we defend them as a journalistic device? Do they represent the best of our work, and the…
Should student media publish
senior superlatives? QT9
Publishing senior superlatives, if seniors decide they are worthwhile at all, is one of those “traditions” best moved from student media to those who most clearly benefit – the senior class. Face it, publishing senior superlatives is akin to publishing fake news. They are not newsworthy, not in line with most student media mission statements…