Diverse thinking, open eyes key
to pursuing Hazelwood legislation
by Stan Zoller, MJE
Ah, fall.
Football, the World Series, Homecoming, and Halloween are all traditions and events synonymous with autumn.
There seems, however, to be another occurrence that becomes front and enter as the leaves change color: Drives for legislation that gives scholastic journalists that opportunity to practice uninhibited free and responsible journalism.
Call it what you want — Freedom of Express Legislation, Student Press Right Legislation, Education Readiness or First Amendment Preservation – but the reality is the outcome is the same. Overturn Hazelwood.
[pullquote]The success in North Dakota has apparently infused other states with a surge of energy and interest in hitting the state house. SPLC Executive Director Frank LoMonte reports that efforts or interest in legislation are under way in New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Florida and Illinois.[/pullquote]
The success in North Dakota has apparently infused other states with a surge of energy and interest in hitting the state house. SPLC Executive Director Frank LoMonte reports that efforts or interest in legislation are under way in New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Florida and Illinois.
LoMonte notes that efforts to sway state lawmakers away from Hazelwood need to be carefully planned when it comes to substance and methodology. A key, he notes, is to make sure the game plan is diverse. While the effort puts scholastic journalism front and center, it’s important key to show how legislation benefits journalism as a whole.
Is there a magic formula that will guarantee passage? Of course not. The Illinois Journalism Education Association’s Legislation Committee, for example, will look at multiple parts to the equation that need to be put into place. While it’s essential, and this is not rocket science, to find supportive legislators, the best place to start is at home. For example, reaching out to your local legislators is a good idea because they should have a vested interest in working with their constituency.
And while there is comfort in working with peers that you are familiar with, such as other journalism educators, we’ll be looking to establish a broad and diverse base of support. In addition to soliciting the support of scholastic press associations (SPAs), organizers of legislative efforts should, LoMonte says, look at allied journalism groups as well. Collegiate press associations as well as professional media organizations should be included as well. Gaining support from stakeholders who will benefit from well-rounded scholastic journalists will hopefully show legislators that there is a long-term benefit to the bill and that the intent s pro-active and not merely s reaction to a specific issue, school or administrator.
When identifying the aforementioned organizations, the IJEA Legislation Committee will also consider the audiences they serve. Collegiate organizations should, for example, should include those that serve both two-year and four-year schools. Utilizing student chapters of associations like the Society of Professional Journalists, maintain a not only student connection, but a link to professional journalism as well.
[pullquote]Remember those parents who used to bring pizza to layout? They can be a resource as well.[/pullquote] Remember those parents who used to bring pizza to layout? They can be a resource as well. Don’t expect all of your former students to jump on board, because they won’t. Those who do, however, can be independent voices of support.
One thing we’ll be doing in Illinois is encouraging advisers to contact alumni — but not just those working in journalism. Former students who may work in other professions such as public relations, and law for example can not only provide support, but also resources and possibly pro-bono services to aid your efforts.
Sound like a daunting task? It is and it is one that will require you and your committee to keep your eyes wide open for diverse support, ideas, and perhaps most importantly — patience.
In the long run, however, it will be worth the effort.
Read MoreAdviser will have to OK anonymous sources,
school board cites journalism standards
Student media advisers at Northern Highlands High School in New Jersey must now give prior permission for student journalists to grant anonymity to a source according to a revised policy the board of education adopted April 28.
The criteria an adviser might have to determine, according to an article at NorthJersey.com, consists of “the credibility, motivation and bias” of sources in “accordance with generally accepted journalistic standards.”
The adviser must also know the name, contact information, background and connection to the story. The NorthJersey.com report also noted the adviser, “except as required by law,” could not reveal the identity of an anonymous source to the faculty, the administration or board of education.
While the journalistic standards cited were not defined, the use of unnamed sources can raise ethical questions. Generally, it is the students who raise these questions and make the decision whether to grant anonymity. Journalism editors granting anonymity under certain circumstances has historical precedent from Watergate to other instances where a source’s identity might need protection.
And, if student media is truly designed to be a learning experience and forum for student expression where students make all decisions of content, that should be students’ decision.
Events that led up to policy changes in student media involved the use of unnamed sources dealing with personnel issues.
Frank LoMonte, Executive Director of the Student Press Law Center, quoted in the NorthJersey.com story, said, “The practical result will be banning anonymous sources, particularly in stories reflecting negatively on the school district, since no employee of the school will want to come forward and say that she vouches for the credibility of a source leaking damaging information about her supervisors.”
Standard practice, LoMonte said, would not involve the adviser.
In ethical guidelines the SPRC endorses, students would make the final decisions whether to permit sources to be anonymous.
The SPRC knows of no scholastic media program in which the adviser would make that decision.
Administrators at the school and superintendent levels supported the board decision in comments, NorthJersey.com reported.
“We believe this policy and regulation fully support our school-sponsored publications, that they will continue to be recognized as award-winning models of excellence,” board of education Barbara Garand is quoted
Additional coverage of the sequence of events at Northern Highlands High School:
• New Jersey adviser resigns from position after censorship controversy
• Formerly censored article published in New Jersey newspaper after school board and principal give OK
• New Jersey school board will vote Monday whether to uphold principal’s censorship
• After stalling vote, New Jersey high school’s publication policy remains unclear
•
What’s in your editorial policies,
board- and publication-level,
does make a difference
Sometimes adversity can be a blessing in disguise. At least that is the point SaraRose Martin, co-editor of Fauquier High School’s The Falconer published May 8.
Honor – and elevate – all programs
during Scholastic Journalism Week
by John Bowen
With Scholastic Journalism Week starting Feb. 22, it would serve us well to note SPLC executive Frank LoMonte’s words in this week’s Education Week.
LoMonte covers a number of points he suggests disrespect and trivialize high school journalism: mistreating female scholastic journalists, establishing the lowest, barely legal level of freedom for scholastic media and undermining the news-literacy obligation of a high school education.
As we rightfully celebrate our strengths in scholastic journalism next week, we should also heed LoMonte’s points so we help others reach the levels of scholastic journalism programs we honor.
Check out a story here about such a situation where the principal is quoted as saying, “The school paper here at school is mine to control.”
Examine LoMonte’s thoughts, compare with the comments of the principal, and commit ourselves to elevate all journalism programs as they strive to reach the uncensored educational quality of the ones we honor most.
Read MoreNorth Dakota introduces legislation
to protect student expression
With North Dakota’s introduction of a freedom of expression bill Jan. 19, student journalists in other states might want to know how to work on legislation in their states.
The John Wall New Voices Act is designed to protect student First Amendment rights both public high schools and public and private colleges.
Seven states have passed legislation protecting student expression at the scholastic levels, and Illinois protects college-level speech.
Students or advisers interested in obtaining materials to consider working on legislation can check these resources:
• SPLC model legislation to protect student free expression rights
• SPLC map and model guidelines for legislation
• JEA/SPRC Blueprint for state legislation
Apply now for national First Amendment award
by John Bowen
Applications are now available for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA).