Ethics codes are important, should not enable punishments of students or advisers
Lindsay CoppensThe Harbinger adviserAlgonquin Regional High School, Northborough, Mass. Adopting a code of ethics can be an excellent way to promote ethical discussion and decision making in a scholastic publication. There are many ethics codes such as the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and National Scholastic Press Association Model Code of Ethics for…
Read MoreInterviewing minors about sensitive topics proves controversial
by Susan McNulty, CJE The Stampede and The Hoofbeat adviser J.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida In 2017, my journalism students included coverage in the yearbook about online harassment. They interviewed two students and quoted them by name. The next year, editors wrote and included a story about anorexia, this time using anonymous sources. In…
Read MoreLessons from Northwestern U’s student edit open learning paths
by Candace Bowen, MJE Student journalism – at least at the collegiate level – hit the news big time last week and received plenty of criticism — both for what was covered and for an apology for covering the story. However, as the newspaper’s editor said in a tweet later, “Our statement addressed some legitimate…
Read MoreDespite state legislation protecting student media, students face constraints, including required changes in content
by Stan Zoller, MJE Imagine this scenario. You’re at an airport when you are approached by a security guard who, after noticing your press credentials, staff T-shirt or other items that identifies you as a journalist, says, “You write propaganda, right?” And you are allowed to pass only after you agree. Farfetched? It may seem…
Read MoreJournalistic responsibility goes hand-in-hand with news literacy
by John Bowen, MJE, Kent State University Looking at Facebook over the weekend, I noticed two posts in particular. Both dealt with issues concerning science. Both raised questions involving news literacy and journalistic responsibility. Both received a good number of comments, from all viewpoints. One, a meme, focused on listening to those with whom you disagree.…
Read MoreIs it time to review staff policies on covering whistleblowers, using anonymous sources?
by Susan McNulty, CJE The Stampede and The Hoofbeat adviser J.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida On July 25, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talked by phone, and this call set off what is now an impeachment investigation into the U.S president by Congress. An anonymous whistleblower filed a complaint with…
Read MoreLatest podcast of Conversations at the Schoolhouse Gate focuses on hate speech
by Kristin Taylor Tripp Robbins just hosted the latest episode of Conversations at the Schoolhouse Gate (if you have subscribed to it, you already know this!). I recommend checking it out. You can listen directly from your laptop at the podcast website or subscribe via Apple podcasts or Stitcher to download it to your phone. It’s a…
Read MoreIt’s not rocket science to proactively demonstrate strong quality, integrity, ethics
by Stan Zoller, MJE As historic events surrounding President Donald Trump continue to unfold, it’s possible, if not likely, his ongoing disdain for and ensuing attacks on the media will reach a more feverish pitch than what has been seen so far during his first term. While it’s likely, albeit hopeful, that student journalists will…
Read MoreJournalism and activism: Is there still a line that separates them?
(WARNING: I buried the lead…at least for some of you.) by Candace Bowen, MJE Following the 2018 March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C. and less than two months after the Parkland shootings, CNN’s “Reliable Sources” host Brian Stelter asked one of the school newspaper’s editors if she saw “a difference right now between journalism and…
Read MoreJournalism Teachers: Five steps for a great start to the school year
The typical to-do list of journalism teachers during the back to school season often includes setting up the newsroom, prepping lessons, attending professional development days and coordinating with editors and staffers. Whether that list lives in a mobile app, Google Doc or pretty new notebook, it’s usually a long one. But adding these five things…
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