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
Pursuit of accurate information clearly
part of scholastic journalism’s mission
To some administrators, it’s ‘curses, FOIA’ed again’ By Stan Zoller, MJE When a student journalist pursues a story and, as H.L. Hall would say, “digs” for information, most journalism educators would be pleased. And so too, you think, would administrators. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s becoming more common for school czars…
Understanding FERPA QT66
Guideline: The school publication will follow the Family Educational Rights and PrIvacy Act (FERPA) as defined by the Student Press Law Center. Social media post/question: What information is protected under FERPA? Key Points/Action FERPA does limit the specific information schools can release about students, but it doesn’t restrict schools from releasing information in aggregate or…
Senior quotes, wills:
Can harm students, damage credibility QT65
Senior wills, April Fool’s issues and senior quotes sometimes can be considered the three Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They have minimal journalistic value and can quickly damage a staff’s –– and a school’s –– reputation and credibility. Senior quotes present too much potential for damage and turn over too much control of your student publications…
Circuit Court decisions support student freedoms QT 64
Quick Hits: Student First Amendment Rights Muzzle Hazelwood with strong journalism and status as a limited public forum. (Dean v. Utica Community Schools, 2004) The principal of Utica High School told the student newspaper, the Arrow, to cut an article by student journalist Katy Dean, as well as an accompanying editorial and an editorial cartoon….
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.