#SJW11: Blog posts from advisers, pros on important topics
I teach an master’s level online course called Social Role of the Media which examines social responsibility of scholastic media. The course is based around the book Elements of Journalism and the 1947 Hutchins Commission’s call for media to maintain a “social role” as one of its main goals.
I require each of the students, who are scholastic media teachers, commercial journalists and those seeking teaching positions at the scholastic and collegiate levels, to post a blog each week related to course discussions.
Since their work reflects current issues and discussions, especially those important to Scholastic Journalism Week, I asked if I could post a link to their blogs, especially their latest discussion.
Here are links; check them out. Give them comments. I think you will find what they say enlightening:
Lori King http://lking17.blogspot.com
Kate Klonowski http://rollingsocial.blogspot.com/
Andrew Christopulos http://apcmedia-andrew.blogspot.com/
Judy Stringer http://judystringer.wordpress.com/
Trevor Ivan http://trevorivan.wordpress.com/
Chris Waugaman http://waug.tumblr.com
Marina Hendricks http://marinahendricks.blogspot.com/
Jeff Kocur http://whyweneedjournalists.blogspot.com/
Traci Hale Brown http://tracihalebrown.tumblr.com/
Dino Orsatti http://dino1105.wordpress.com/
Read MoreSCSPA creates new way to fight censorship; good SJW model for others to follow
by Phillip Caston, Chairman, SCSPA Executive Board
This year, the S.C. Scholastic Press Association has set a new goal of fighting for the cause of the free press in scholastic journalism. For too long, scholastic publications and organizations have been on the defensive when it comes to misapplications of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier.
In South Carolina, we believe it’s time to be proactive rather than reactive.
In order to accomplish this goal, we had to find a way to further unite scholastic publications across the state even if they weren’t members of SCSPA. Therefore, director Karen Flowers and the board talked about creating a new position, a liaison between the scholastic publications in our state and the SCSPA board members.
Should a case of censorship or other incidence of unlawful administrative control occur, student journalists would have a hotline, so to speak, in which they could contact the SCSPA First Amendment liaison. This person would then alert the SCSPA board and take steps towards alleviating the student publication’s censorship plight.
Of course, figuring out who would serve in this role was the greatest challenge facing the board. A current adviser would likely be too busy with his or her teaching duties to serve in the position. A current adviser also could face consequences at his or her job while attempting to help another school, or, even worse, the censorship could occur at that particular adviser’s school. A scholastic journalist would likely have his or her own time constraints and may not be taken seriously by principals at other schools.
The answer seemed to lie in finding a current student in the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications, preferably someone who had been a scholastic journalist. That person would be someone who had quick access to SCSPA and its resources. The person would also be essentially “untouchable;” that is, he or she could not face repercussions from principals or school district officials. This person would also be one who believed in the free press, and, like most college students, would be willing to fight for the greater cause.
The person who immediately came to my mind was Ashley Brown, the 2009 SCSPA Journalist of the Year and a current sophomore at in the University of South Carolina’s J-School. Ashley also served as my editor in chief on the J.L. Mann High School student newspaper. I called her up and didn’t even finish explaining to her what the job entailed before she said, “I’ll do it.” Ashley’s position will be a one-year term, but it can be renewable.
Following the board’s approval at our last meeting, the First Amendment liaison now takes on the following responsibilities:
• Distributing wallet cards with her phone number and e-mail address, setting up the “hotline” for scholastic journalists throughout the state.
• Keeping up to date with First Amendment legislation and court rulings as well as informing the SCSPA of changes nationwide.
• Maintaining communication with the Student Press Law Center if such action is required.
• Establishing relationships with law professors at the J-School for supplement advice.
• Working through several types of communication—from e-mail to Twitter, from listservs to Facebook—to inform advisers and students of their legal rights.
• Documenting cases of First Amendment abuse in South Carolina for SCSPA record.
• Communicating with administrators, if necessary, about their students’ rights and offering proactive solutions for improving relationships.
• Contacting local media outlets to protect student journalists.
• Working with the SCSPA board to establish a plan of action in proposing a Student Freedom of Expression bill to the S.C. state legislature (a plan we will pursue in the next couple of years).
• Teaching an introductory First Amendment class at SCSPA conferences.
The creation of this position is a powerful first step in protecting the rights of student journalists in South Carolina and undoing the damaging effects of Hazelwood. The only way to stand up against First Amendment abuses is for student journalists to unite across the state. Ashley Brown now serves as that united voice in South Carolina.
We hope other scholastic press organizations across the country will adopt similar First Amendment liaison positions. Perhaps one day we can speak as a united voice for the free press across the entire nation.
Read MoreNoteworthy information 3
Because scholastic journalism programs face tough times in the classroom and as viable activities because of financial and curricular crunches, it’s always good to have statements about the value of scholastic media ready for use.
Here are three that could come in handy:
• An NCTE Position Statement on the importance of journalism courses in English curricula.
• An Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC) Statement on the importance of scholastic media.
• High School Journalism Matters, research from the Newspaper Association of American (NAAF) that journalism provides clear evidence journalism-engaged students are more involved in civic activities, better educated and more involved citizens as they grow older.
Secondly, check out the written decision on the recent Churchill County High School, Nevada, case about a teacher’s lawsuit against the school newspaper.
Thirdly, download and discuss Randy Swikle’s Protocol for Free and Responsible Student News Media from the McCormick Foundation.
Read MoreNoteworthy information, part 2
Is it coincidence that two brothers who are superintendents, one in Montana and one in Washington, are involved in student expression issues? Alex Apostle of Missoula, Montana, schools, is the older brother of Tony Apostle of Puyallup schools, Washington.
Maybe the two should talk about Tony’s ways to support scholastic journalism.
Part 3 coming tomorrow.
Read MoreCovering death: an article worth examining
The Kansas City Star ran an article today about how school yearbooks in the area handle death coverage. It is well worth reading – and discussing – before the situation occurs.
The article examines the wide range of thought that goes into deciding how, or whether, reporting death is an integral part of scholastic journalism.
A tip of the hat to Larisa Capodieci for tweeting this article about the difficult decision of handling death – in newspapers or yearbooks.
Read More