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
Allowing sources to preview content before publication
Ethical guidelines Sources do not have the right to review materials prior to publication. Allowing sources to preview content at any stage of production raises serious ethical and journalistic practice questions. Staff manual process Student editors should develop a position on prior review requests and ensure all staff understand the process for addressing such a…
Email and texting: digital information-gathering
Ethical guidelines Journalists should conduct interviews and gather information in person as often as possible. Because it is sometimes necessary to use electronic methods such as email and text messaging, students should make clear their identity and intentions openly and professionally before using these methods. Staff manual process Students should understand that face-to-face interviews offer the…
Two important articles worth discussion, inclusion in j classes
Two articles published April 5 could add lively discussion in journalism classes as well as reinforce time-tested procedures of information checking. One is a Columbia Journalism Review report on the Rolling Stone article on an alleged rape last July on the University of Virginia campus that Rolling Stone later retracted. The report has multiple segments with numerous links…
Transparency needs to be crystal clear
– at all levels
by Stan Zoller In an effort to enhance transparency and public access to some records, legislators in two states are sending a message to some schools – show us your privates. Sort of. Bills are pending in the Texas and Illinois state houses would require police departments or campus safety departments at private colleges and…
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.