The Latest
Warning: Attempt to read property "ID" on null in /var/www/vhosts/jea.org/staging.jea.org/wp-content/plugins/bb-plugin/classes/class-fl-builder-loop.php on line 363
Talking Points about student free expression
Talking Points and terminology related to free expression legislation With legislation giving students decision-making power over their student media comes questions about roles, purpose and standards. If the school cannot make content decisions who is responsible? What is the role of the adviser? Of students? If the adviser cannot control content, what guidelines will students…
Tips for reaching out to communities
for info on student free expression
Steps students and advisers can use to help others understand the importance and need for student and free student expression With new legislation, or attempts to pass it, comes the need for ways to engage those who would support it. The ways can run from concept to concrete and can be delivered in many approaches…
Terms connected with
student free press legislation
Terms concerning free expression legislation Prior review is the practice of school administrators – or anyone in a position of authority outside the editorial staff – demanding that they be allowed to read (or preview) copy prior to publication and/or distribution. Prior review itself is a form of prior restraint. It inevitably leads the reviewer…
What is media role
during election campaigns?
What is the role of media during election campaigns? Description Students will design ethical guidelines they can use this fall and in later coverage (reporting and viewpoint) of elections, candidates and issues. Students will work on the following questions: What makes comprehensive reporting about an election, a candidate or political issues? How would students achieve…
Introduction to 2016 Constitution Day materials … and more
Constitution Day lessons, activities and related materials In preparation for Constitution Day 2016, several members of the Scholastic Press Rights Committee (SPRC), a committee of the Journalism Education Association, created lesson plans specific for the event. We suggest celebrating Sept. 16 since the official Constitution Day is Saturday this year. We created these lessons to help celebrate…
State legislation provides additional protections for student expression
by Mark Goodman Although many educators and advocates think of the First Amendment (and the court decisions interpreting it) as the most important tool for interpreting student press rights, there is another equally important source of law: state statutes. As of September 2016, 10 state legislatures have enacted statutory protections for high school students’ free…
Why protecting student free expression is important
Students and advisers in states with recent freedom of expression legislation may want to inform their communities of educational rationale for the legislation. Additionally, those states working to pass such legislation might want to use the same points to gain support. How free expression legislation provides value to: Students who can more effectively — Demonstrate…
Analyzing how ‘facts’ are used by politicians
during the election cycle
Analyzing how “facts” are used by politicians during the election cycle Description Sometimes politicians misconstrue facts during debates and political ads. This lesson examines the “truthiness” of the ads running currently. Students will analyze one from the Democratic and one from the Republican party. Students could look at a TV ad, online ad or print…
Our right to comment
Our right to comment Description Since media organizations have moved to online formats, they have struggled with the practice of hosting online comments next to their content. Many news organizations require posters to meet specific standards, moderate the comments, and reserve the right to remove or delete comments and users. Some organizations even require each…
Political Correctness and Free Speech
Political Correctness and Free Speech Description Students examine the gray area between political correctness and free speech through peer discussion and real-world examples. Objectives Students will understand the meaning and connotation of “politically correct” in different contexts. Students will examine the relationship between offensive language and free speech. Students will evaluate the power of language…
Model for ethical guidelines, process
Ethical guideline title This would be the situation or ethical situation. For example, it could be how your student media would handle unnamed sources, takedown demands or sources wanting to read content before publication. Ethical guidelines This section would contain the recommended guideline or statement of ethical principle. For example, for unnamed sources it could be…
Censorship strikes Playwickian again
by Jane Blystone PA School Press Association president Today was one of many days I have talked to students from Neshaminy High School in eastern Pa. over the past three years regarding censorship of their school newspaper, the Playwickian. Once again censorship is lifting its ugly head under different student editors and has now escalated…