SPRC adds six new ethics-staff manual models
JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Committee added six new ethical-staff manual statements July 7 in connection with its Adviser Institute in Las Vegas. The model guidelines range from understanding ‘no publication’ guidelines to producing video dubs.
All seven are part of the SPRC’s Foundations package, designed to coordinate student media editorial policies with ethical guidelines and staff manual application.
Links to the package are:
• Foundations package
• Sitemap of all models
Links to the new statements are:
• Recording interviews
• Creating “Put Up” guidelines
• Producing video dubs
• Handling user-generated content
• Recognizing public spaces
• Understanding “no publication” guidelines
‘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 “Do not publish” contracts apply to schools, not student media.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 pictures. An alternative would be to communicate with parents about what such a ban means to student media.
Staff manual process
Student journalists should create a list of discussion points to share with parents who indicate their students are on a school’s no publication list.
Suggestions
• Students appearing in public activities and public places have little expectation of privacy
• Students whose images are available to commercial media should also be available to student media
• Students who are omitted from student media without justifiable reason could lose an important record of their lives
NOTE: FERPA does not apply in this situation although schools might argue it does, which could create a censorship situation. At that point it becomes a censorship issue. Try to persuade the school it is not doing the right thing.
NOTE: If your publication is prior reviewed, it is possible FERPA could apply because students do not make the final decisions.
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Public spaces
Ethical guidelines
Photographs in hallways and other public spaces can be an essential part of journalistic storytelling.
Student journalists need to know what are considered public spaces for still and video photography and audio. Know where you can legally and ethically be, and why, in the information gathering process. Check with the Student Press Law Center about what are public spaces in schools.
Staff manual process
Student journalists should know what are considered public spaces in schools for capturing visual images and audio recordings.
Student journalists should protect source privacy in the information-gathering process.
Student journalists should know and follow privacy laws for their state. Student editors should ensure all staff members are aware of these principles and know how to handle them.
Resources
Lens Flare: Photographing Law Enforcement Can Create Confusion for Both Police and Student Journalists, Student Press Law Center
Know Your Rights: Photographers, ACLU
Criminalizing Photography, New York Times
Access to Student Athletic Events, Student Press Law Center
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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 to vet all information and images before publishing them. All journalists should be trained in the use of this plan.
Suggestions
Before your students publish information or images from anyone outside the staff:
• Independently verify and validate it
• Positively identify sources
• Verify sources what sources say with other trusted sources
• Check for copyright infringement
• Verify the location
Resources
How is User-generated Content Used in TV News, Neiman Lab
Guardian Launches Platform for User-generated Content, The Guardian
How Journalists Verify User-generated Content, Information on Social Media, The Poynter Institute
Ethics Guide: User-generated content (UGC) and Comments, Gatehouse Media (GHNewsroom.com)
Tools for Verifying and Assessing the Validity of Social Media and User-generated Content, Journalist’s Resource
How Storyful is Shaking Up News Reporting With User-generated Content, The Content Strategist
Accuracy and Accountability Checklist for Social Media, Mandy Jenkins at Zombie Journalism
Video dubs
Ethical guidelines
Although a common event in some schools, video dubs need to be handled with legal and ethical care. It is essential, if the product is to go on the web, it is essential to follow all copyright requirements.
Student media set a strong model for others to follow, so it is incumbent on them to follow copyright laws and ethical guidelines.
Staff manual process
Student journalists should seek written permission for any music to be used in a video dub product.
Suggestions
Resources
Copyright Permissions and Lip Dubs, School Video News
Read My Lips: Students Should Exercise Caution When Producing Lip Sync Videos, JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee
Student Media Guide to Copyright Law, Student Press Law Center
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 for Freedom of the Press