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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…

What to do if school officials
threaten censorship after legislation

What to do if school officials threaten censorship Even though state legislation can provide protection, sometimes others do not understand that and need further education. Use a friendly and informative approach and help them understand. Here are some steps we recommend. Share a copy of the law and explain the language and meanings in educational civic…

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…

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…

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…

JEA endorses legislation
for New Voices in 8 states

The Journalism Education Association, at its spring convention in Los Angeles, endorsed eight states’ efforts to pass legislation ensuring protection for student expression. The states are: Illinois Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri New Jersey Washington Wisconsin “JEA is spot-on to endorse these states’ efforts to pass New Voices legislation,” JEA president Mark Newton said. “Student voice…

Political attacks on media
should concern student journalists

by Stan Zoller, MJE The cantankerous tone and rhetoric of the 2016 presidential primary races has raised more than a few eyebrows. That’s not breaking news. What may be of note for journalists, and not just student journalists, are the incessant and seemingly extreme attacks on the media by candidates. And it’s not just Donald…