The Latest
Paper carries more information on Puyallup decision
The News Tribune today reported more information about a jury’s decision that student journalists did not invade the privacy of four other students or negligently publish their names. The story also notes some jury members told the school’s lawyer that the jury believed in freedom of expression and that the story concerned matters of concern…
Jury finds for school district in Puyallup case
The News Tribune is reporting the jury found for the Puyallup school district. The story indicates more information coming tomorrow.
Puyallup case goes to jury
For an update on the Puyallup, Washington, “oral sex coverage,” go to this SPLC Newsflash. The SPLC reports the judge in the case “issued a confusing ruling in which she determined that The Jagwire was a “limited public forum,” but said that it was nevertheless subject to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1988 Hazelwood ruling, which allows school…
Music Use: Just what IS legal?
That’s what Student Press Law Center executive director Frank LoMonte will discuss in the Webinar “It’s Not YourTube or Your Music.” Thanks to the Radio and Television Digital News Association, you can register now to be part of the discussion Friday, April 23 at 2 p.m. EDT. LoMonte will cover what you and your students…
Next steps
This week, at the JEA/NSPA convention in Portland, the press rights commission has taken several initiatives: • Involving, for the first time 45words, its student partners group • Designing a working definition of prior review and prior restraint of scholastic media • Participating in a Skype discussion with a lawyer about a Washington State case…
JEA board defines prior review
The JEA Board of Directors passed the following definition of prior review at its meeting April 15: Prior review occurs when anyone not on the publication/media staff requires that he or she be allowed to read, view or approve student material before distribution, airing or publication. Prior restraint occurs when someone not on the publication/media…
Today’s the day
Today’s the day a group of Student Partners will meet face to face for the first time. Today they will meet students and advisers at a booth in the Portland Convention Center and begin to connect in person with students just like them, working hard at their schools around the country to tell important stories…
Test-takers’ tweets
Studying for tests is rarely enjoyable, but the JEA Certification Commission is trying to make CJE (and even perhaps MJE) review as painless as possible. In fact, content will be coming your way 140 characters at a time. That’s right. Twitter is the commission’s new study tool. Beginning this week, specific info or links to…
Support the Unique Learning Student Media Provides
By working as a team producing school publications, students learn practical lessons in communication and in civic responsibility. They write for an audience of their peers instead of for their teachers. They research by interview rather than just by internet developing people skills not taught in other classes. They develop critical thinking skills, learn to…
Michigan schools face loss of open forum status
Despite the Dean v. Utica court decision and despite the fact they have had histories of being forums for student expression, at least two more Michigan schools and their student media face school board rejection of that student media status. In a number of similar instances, a common factor, according to boards and advisers, is…
Internet filtering flaws not new, but still worth exploring, then condemning
A tweet by the Student Press Law Center March 28 highlighted an excellent piece about how Internet filtering harms schools. The blog by Mitch Wagner of Computerworld suggests Internet filtering is excessive and heavy-handed. Links to other articles linked within Wagner’s suggest Internet filters keep students from accessing legitimate information often required by state-mandated tests….
SPJ condemns Wentzville prior review, censorship
The Society of Professional Journalists this week termed disruptive the Wentzville Board of Education’s use of prior review, censorship and the resulting resignation of a trained adviser. The letter urged administrators to end prior review of student media. The comments were part of a letter from SPJ dated March 25 and addressed to board members…