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Policy model 2

Policy 2: [NAME OF SCHOOL] student media are designated public forums in which students make all decisions of content without prior review from school officials. Freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental values in a democratic society. The mission of any institution committed to preparing productive citizens must include teaching these values and providing…

Visual reporting

Ethical guidelines Journalists are charged with documenting what’s happening in the world around them by capturing and presenting images. The way journalists obtain access to capturing these photos and video footage is just as important as the images themselves. Deciding which visual elements to use in telling a story — as well as which to…

Two important articles worth discussion, inclusion in j classes

Two articles published April 5 could add lively discussion in journalism classes as well as reinforce time-tested procedures of information checking. One is a Columbia Journalism Review report on the Rolling Stone article on an alleged rape last July on the University of Virginia campus that Rolling Stone later retracted. The report has multiple segments with numerous links…

Transparency needs to be crystal clear
– at all levels

by Stan Zoller In an effort to enhance transparency and public access to some records, legislators in two states are sending a message to some schools – show us your privates. Sort of. Bills are pending in the Texas and Illinois state houses would require police departments or campus safety departments at private colleges and…

Think carefully before publishing April Fools’ Day content

By Megan Fromm, CJE JEA Educational Initiatives Director Let’s get straight to the punch line here: April Fools’ Day editions are a bad idea. Why? Well, the Student Press Law Center’s Frank LoMonte provides solid evidence that many joke publications are never received quite as they are intended. Instead, student editors and advisers often find themselves…

Students report on shattered dreams

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Part of a monthly series At this time of year, students look forward to many end of year and end of high school events like prom and graduation parties. The AHS Talon at Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas, did expansive coverage of a school-wide conversation about the impact of drunken driving….

Thinking of reporting sex-related issues?
Some thoughts on handling controversy

At least two schools this winter have had issues with reporting about sex. Newbury Park High, California, and Rochester, Michigan, experienced complaints not only about the content but about images used in their coverage. An SPLC article published March 20 looks at both events and the resulting concerns, and is worth your reading. The article…

Websites should post policies, procedures, too

by Candace Bowen Including a mission statement and other policy points on the newspaper’s editorial page or inside a newsmag front cover is pretty standard, but where does that info go on a website? From recent experience judging state competitions, it seems some staffs really aren’t sure.

Check out our new Press Rights Minutes

JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Committee just added 10 new Press Rights Minutes, bringing the total to 30 available for class and activity use. Plans are to add more in the immediate future. Content includes 60 second audio clips on ethics and legal issues, including new pieces on handling sponsored content, creating balance and objectivity, using unnamed sources,…

Information worth class discussion
– and action

Looking for information concerning free expression to spark discussion? Consider these sites: • What’s the impact of overzealous Internet filtering http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/whats-the-impact-of-overzealous-internet-filtering-in-schools/ • Journalism and public shaming: some guidelines http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/326097/journalism-and-public-shaming-some-guidelines/ • Expulsion of two OK students over video leads to Free speech debate http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/us/expulsion-of-two-oklahoma-students-leads-to-free-speech-debate.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0 • Sunshine Week 2015 ideas and activities from SPJ http://www.spj.org/sunshineweek.asp • Sunshine Week…

Must reads for after Scholastic Journalism Week

As Scholastic Journalism Week ends, we don’t want to lose sight of issues students and advisers continue to face. Some are as old as Hazelwood; some much newer and raise additional concerns. • Active voice: SPLC project strives to empower women in student media SPLC Executive Director Frank LoMonte told attendees at the organization’s 40th anniversary that…

Students support peers across the country in censorship case

Part four of a series – Making a Difference In celebration of the anniversary of the February 25, 1969, United States Supreme Court Tinker vs. Des Moines, the JEA SPRC Making a Difference project salutes the The Foothill Dragon Press at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura (Calif.) for their support of fellow student journalists across…