The Latest – Page 78

Re-establishing our belief in the right forum

Just because the 2nd Circuit Federal Appeals Court recently handed down a decision in R.O. v. Ithaca City School District laden with shaky interpretations and references, it is not time to surrender or alter our beliefs. “Drawings of stick figures in sexual positions clearly qualify as ‘lewd,’ that is, ‘inciting to sensual desire or imagination,’”…

Student journalist/editor wins primary election in school district where he has been censored

UPDATE ROCHESTER, PA: High school senior Aaron Brant, editor-in-chief of the Rochester High School student newspaper, “The Oracle”, has been censored several times this year, by the administration at his school. Brant has won democratic and republican tickets in the primary election for a seat on the very school board where he attends school. He…

Student journalist runs for school board in district where he and his fellow journalists are being censored

Aaron Brant and the ACLU have challenged the censorship of “The Oracle”, the student newspaper at Rochester High School in Rochester, Pa. Aaron is on the ballot in tomorrow’s primary elections in Pennsylvania where he is running for school board. Yes, you can run for school board in Pa. when you are 18. Here are…

So say we all…

#wpfd “Free the press – all of it.” Pass it on.

#WPFD

While you are re-posting “Free the press — all of it. http://bit.ly/f3wE2Y, be sure to go to #wpfd on Twitter, to add your comments that a strong segment of media in the United States is also not free: that of the scholastic media.

Stand up, shout out for student journalism

With the 2nd U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the Doninger case, one thing is certainly clear: If we want to protect student expression rights and responsibilities, we are going to have to be the ones who stand up to do so. SPLC executive director Frank LoMonte said the courts abdicated their responsibility…

A chance to send a unique message about scholastic media and journalism

by Stan Zoller, MJE What do our colleagues at school think of when it comes to journalism? On May 3, World Press Freedom Day, we have the unique opportunity to let them know that scholastic journalists are not just students involved in a school media for fun. They have the distinct privilege of practicing what…

World Press Freedom Day letter includes scholastic media

The Washington Post today published an “open letter” to President Obama and Secretary Clinton today from the Student Press Law Center, JEA and 36 other journalism and free-speech organizations urging them to declare their support for freeing “the other half” of America’s press. Our hope is scholastic media programs will download the letter and develop Action Plans and…

Student bracelets ruled protected speech

Students at Easton, Pa., middle school are now permitted to wear “I [heart] boobies” bracelets to school after a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled the bracelet wording as protected speech. See more of the story on NPR. http://tinyurl.com/6hxhuhr Once again, courts rule that students do have First Amendment rights.

Freedom for the world’s press must include scholastic media, too

May 3. Washington, D. C. World Press Freedom Day. The first time since UNESCO started the event 18 years ago the United States will host it. And the perfect time to call for its tenets to be extended to scholastic media in a country that promotes freedom – and responsibility – for every other nation’s…

Overland situation settled – for now – although questions remain

According to both the Denver Post and the Student Press Law Center, the Overland Scout will retain its adviser and lose prior review – for the remainder of this year’s issues. Unsettled, however, is what happens next year, both to the Scout and to the adviser. “School and district officials maintain that the situation was…

Professional allies against censorship

Those looking for allies in their fight against censorship should consider professional organizations. Check out support the Colorado Society of Professional Journalists gave students of the Overland Scout today. The Board of Directors of the Colorado Pro Chapter of SPJ wrote in their letter to the Cherry Creek District Superintendent and Board, “Specific provisions exist…