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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…

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…

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…

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…

Three ways to increase staff accountability

by Megan Fromm, CJE This time of year, many advisers face a triple threat: looming final yearbook proofs, senior-itis from even the best staffers, and enough sunshine to drive the most dedicated students stir crazy. While keeping students accountable for their work is an ongoing struggle, the chaos and pace of the spring semester can create…

Don’t let ‘funny things’ happen
on the way to your forum

by Stan Zoller, MJE I can’t help but wonder if Pseudolus and Marcus Lycus had been journalism educators if a funny thing would have happened on the way to the forum. For you nonmovie buffs, Pseudolus, played by the late Zero Mostel and Marcus Lycus, played by the equally late Phil Silvers, were leads in…

‘Law of the Student Press’ available at discount from JEA

Celebrate Scholastic Journalism Week by buying a class set Here is your opportunity to save 50 percent on the Student Press Law Center’s book, “Law of the Student Press.” Recent court rulings, statutes and new media have drastically changed the legal landscape. This book, by Frank D. LoMonte, Adam Goldstein and Michael Hiestand, explains what these changes…

Practice the First Amendment –
and join FAPFA winners who do

Earlier today, JEA, Quill and Scroll and the National Scholastic Press Association announced this year’s 11 First Amendment Press Freedom Award schools. The award recognizes public high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, with an emphasis on student-run media where students make all final…