The Latest – Page 54

Embattled editors tell
their powerful stories at SPLC dinner

Sometimes it’s the bad things in life that help a person find a cause, a passion or a pathway. From a Pulitzer Prize-winner who sued his principal in the ‘70s to two teens, still closely involved in censorship issues at their own schools, those at the Student Press Law Center’s 40th anniversary dinner Oct. 16…

19 journalism groups urge
administrator organizations to disavow
Neshaminy board punishment of paper, adviser and editor

Oct. 13, 1987 marked the U.S. Supreme Court’s hearing the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier arguments that ultimately granted administrators the right to control content of high school media in limited situations. Oct. 13, 2014 marks a time when 19 journalism organizations joined together to urge national groups of administrators and school boards to openly disavow actions of the Neshaminy…

Make history come alive by interviewing local veterans

Beginning today, the JEA SPRC Making a Difference Project will feature a student publication each month featuring work of scholastic journalists that has made a difference in their schools and in their communities. This is the first in a ten-part series. All upcoming posts for the Making a Difference project were published during the 2013-2014…

On news engagement day,
let’s engage others
with news about censorship

Oct. 7 is #newsengagementday, a national event created by AEJMC. The idea is to encourage everyone to engage with news issues and ideas with students, family and, well, everyone. National News Engagement Day was created to: Raise awareness about the importance of being informed. Encourage everyone to engage with news from reading and watching to tweeting and discussing. Help people of all ages discover the benefits of news. Educate the public about the principles and process of journalism. Ensure news engagement does not die out. JEA has endorsed the idea and urges all to participate. I know journalism programs do this daily anyway, but…

Where do trust and prior review meet?

Leading a scholastic media staff in the shadow of Hazelwood by Chris Waugaman, MJE A lack of trust can destroy scholastic journalism. We have seen it in a number of recent cases. The scenario involves a student publication and a disgruntled administration. The cause of this tension can come from a variety of places, but…

Two examples showing the need to protect
the information gathering process

When a school system tells students in a new policy it proposes that it wants student media to train students in journalism, it might be time to cheer. But not when, in the same policy, it calls for student media “to foster a wholesome school spirit and support the best traditions of the school,” and reinforces…

Getting everyone on the side of quality journalism

by Matt Smith, Adviser, Cardinal Columns Fond du Lac High School On August 25, the Fond du Lac Board of Education gave the official go-ahead for student publications at Fond du Lac High School to begin the new school year operating under new publication guidelines that scrap last year’s policy of administrative prior review. The…

Be disaster aware, be prepared, take action

by Glenn Morehouse Olson Throughout September, I find my classes cut short time and time again as the school works to squeeze in the required fire, lockdown and tornado drills. I’ve never really given it any thought. It’s an important part of preparing students in case of an emergency. However, on Sept. 19 an email…

What filters hide: a lesson

Title What filters hide Description Students will research common net issues with filtered sites. This lesson goes with information on this SPRC link. Summary Students try to access several commonly banned (but legitimate) sites. They then will create interview questions for the internet gatekeeper at their school. Students could write a news-feature story on this…

What ‘s banned in your neighborhood?
Banned Websites Awareness Week brings
chance to examine extent of Internet filtering

According to a new report from the American Library Association, Internet-filtering software blocks more content than required and deprives students of access to information and collaborative tools Titled Fencing Out Knowledge: Impacts of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) 10 Years Later, the report also argues those children most affected are the poor, who might…

Internet filters: What do they really block?

by John Bowen “For speech class, senior Dave Jennings needed to find information about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain,” Maggie Beckwith, senior reporter for the Lakewood Times, began her story on the effects of Internet filtering. “I was trying to go to the Rolling Stone magazine web site to get lyrics” Jennings said. “I couldn’t get…

Internet filters: More than annoying

by John Bowen To raise awareness of overly restrictive blocking in schools and school libraries of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools, The American Association of School Librarians has designated Wednesday, Sept. 24 as Banned Websites Awareness Day. AASL asked school librarians and other educators to promote an awareness of how overly…