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
Tools of Truth: all lessons
All Tools of Truth lessons are listed, annotated here Sloppy reporting Journalists as professional skeptics (2-part) The first lesson explores ethical decision-making about what to publish and the importance of verification in that process. It is a case study that puts students in the role of an editor as they walk through a hypothetical story…
Some censorship makes ‘no cents’
by Stan Zoller, MJE During his first inaugural address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously said that “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” For media advisers, that fear is likely to be administrative censorship. Perhaps a bigger fear, however, is the threat of ‘economic censorship,’ where student media is threatened with a curtailment…
Student media policy may be
the most important decision you make QT4
Guideline Students should understand while they can and should adopt best legal practices and ethical guidelines for their publication, the school district’s or school board’s media policy (if one exists) could impact the legal and ethical decisions of student editors. Key thoughts/Action: Possible guidelines (three options) This reality does not preclude students from exercising their…
Deceptive news lessons
In the era of the fight against fake news, we believe journalists must be aware of the social climate surrounding the work they do. The attacks and delegitimization of the news media on a national scale shouldn’t make us question the work we do. We must be able to educate ourselves and our audiences about…
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.