Basic lessons for teachers to use during online learning
by Lori Keekley, MJE Several members of the Scholastic Press Rights Committee developed some lessons for advisers to use with their journalism students. The lessons are intended to be asynchronous basic introductions. The goal is to introduce students to the content and provide resources they then can examine further. The lessons include information on the…
Read MoreResources for building lessons and ethics guidelines
Use these short resources to build lessons, ethics guidelines Forum status of student mediaIf you’re developing a new policy, the Scholastic Press Rights Committee recommends using language something like this: [Name of publication] is a designated public forum for student expression. Student editors make all content decisions without prior review from school officials. Prior review…
Read MoreBuilding on Student Press Freedom Day
A time for reflection on and commitment to journalistically responsible student media Jan. 29, Student Press Freedom Day, is a good time to reflect on the importance of a unfettered student media, especially given the country’s claimed mistrust of and attacks on the media. Commit to informing your various communities now, and throughout the next…
Read MoreUse real situations to teach law and ethics
by Candace Bowen, MJE Teaching student journalists about legal and ethical issues can be a challenge. Some of my pre-service teachers at Kent State always want student groups to research different law cases and then present their findings to the class, possibility re-enact the trial. Others want teacher lectures, a process that takes at…
Read MoreTeaching students to fact-check themselves and others, Facebook and fact checking
by Susan McNulty, CJE The Stampede and The Hoofbeat adviserJ.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida Thursday, Jan. 9, Facebook announced in a blog post found here their platform will soon allow users to opt out of certain political and social issue advertisements. This decision came in response to demands for Facebook to fact check ads before approving…
Read MoreHelp administrators know what N.V. (New Voices Law) means
by Stan Zoller, MJE When you see the letters “N.V.” in the context of scholastic journalism, you hopefully realize they refer to “New Voices” legislation that 14 states have passed so scholastic journalists can practice free and responsible journalism without concerns. Or dare I say, fear of prior review, prior restraint or censorship. Unfortunately, there…
Read MorePodcast: Importance of passing New Voices legislation
by Kristin Taylor, CJE We hope you will check out and share the latest episode of the SPRC podcast Conversations at the Schoolhouse Gate. I’ve pasted the episode notes below. Please subscribe, rate and review! It makes a huge difference to getting the podcast out there. In case you aren’t subscribed on iTunes/Apple podcasts or…
Read MoreShared anecdotes can help New Voices legislation
by Candace Bowen, MJE Just how bad is the censorship that goes on in today’s student media? Could it be, as one administrator said – and perhaps more have thought – advisers just making mountains out of mole hills? And what about self-censorship? One principal said, with perfect confidence, “How can you blame us if…
Read MoreWhat to tell an administrator who seeks prior review
The Porn-worker and Bear Creek High School by Jan Ewell, MJE The district administration of the Lodi Unified School District demanded prior review of a story the paper was writing about an 18-year old student, estranged from her parents, who was working in the porn industry while finishing her senior year. The adviser, Cathi Duffel, and her…
Read MoreActivities based on media coverage of high school of student working in adult industry
by John Bowen, MJEIn my last blog we discussed the importance of fighting prior review, and noted its use is growing, even in states with state legislation protecting student expression. To emphasize the issue, we highlight recent review attempts with the Bruin Voice of Stockton, California, and related reporting about the student story. You have…
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