Press Rights
JEA stands firmly behind student journalists’ press freedom. Where journalism students delve into the impact of such events as the invasion of the Capitol Jan. 6 and issues stemming from it, they create community engagement and understanding of journalistic responsibility, roles and values. Where the same students make final decisions of content without prior review and restraint, democracy’s ideals flourish and expand. We denounce all efforts to stifle student journalists, and we stand in solidarity with advisers who support them.
Press Rights Quick Links
Prior Review | Law-Ethics Manual | Key Cases | What Are Ethics | Tools of Truth
User-generated content
Ethical guidelines Journalists should treat user-generated content the same as any content they create in terms of accuracy, verification, credibility, reliability and usability. Given its growing use by various forms of media, student journalists should develop guidelines on how, when and why it should be used. Staff manual process Student journalists should establish a plan…
Recording interviews
Ethical guidelines While it is often a good idea to record interviews for accuracy and multi-platform use, follow legal and ethical guidelines for your state. Staff manual process Student journalists should check the guidelines on recording sources for their state then develop consistent procedures to follow these guidelines. Suggestions Resources Reporters Committee apps, Reporters Committee…
‘Put up’ guidelines
Ethical guidelines Having a set of standards to follow before posting online or print content might help avoid material that causes someone to send a takedown demand. Whether students post mainly online or to a combination of print and online, student staffs should develop authentication procedures before publishing striving to avoid Takedown Demand hassles. Staff…
‘No publication’ guidelines
Ethical guidelines Know your rights and responsibilities in terms of capturing images on school property and at school events. “Do not publish” contracts apply to schools, not student media. At the very least, get a copy of the list of students whose parents request photos not to be used and try to avoid taking their…
Need help with a censorship issue? You found it.
If you are a JEA member or students of a JEA member who need assistance concerning censorship issues, use the panic button below to generate an online form to explain your situation. This will go to a Scholastic Press Rights Committee member who will assist you quickly and notify others in your state so they can offer assistance. This outreach capability is a direct result of JEA’s Adviser Assistance Program and is designed to combat censorship issues advisers and students might face.