this is a draft of an editorial policy I had to draft as a part of an advisor's course I took last year. It has a lot of information in it and it is very clear about a lot of different issues. Please read it and comment on things you feel should be left in or taken out...
In addition, please comment on what topics you feel would be suitable for us to address in our first issue. What is the message we want to convey to the school?
The Blazer’s Editorial Policy and Mission Statement (first draft)
As preservers of democracy, World Journalism Preparatory School (WJPS) shall protect, encourage and enhance free speech and the exchange of ideas as a means of protecting our American way of life.
The Blazer is the official student-produced medium of news and information published/produced by The Blazer and ENEWS students. The Blazer has been established as a designated public forum for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution. Advisers will coach and discuss content during the writing process.
Because school officials do not engage in prior review, and the content of the The Blazer is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student editorial board and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.
Electronic media (including online, broadcast and podcast media) produced by WJPS students are entitled to the same protections – and subjected to the same freedoms and responsibilities – as media produced for print publication. As such they will not be subject to prior review or restraint.
Student journalists may use print and electronic media to report news and information, to communicate with other students and individuals, to ask questions of and consult with experts and to gather material to meet their newsgathering and research needs.
The Blazer and its staff are protected by and bound to the principles of the First Amendment and other protections and limitations afforded by the Constitution and the various laws and court decisions implementing those principles.
The Blazer will not publish any material determined by student editors or the student editorial board to be unprotected, that is, material that is libelous, obscene, materially disruptive of the school process, an unwarranted invasion of privacy, a violation of copyright or a promotion of products or services unlawful (illegal) as to minors as defined by state or federal law.
Definitions and examples for the above instances of unprotected speech can be found in Law of the Student Press published by the Student Press Law Center.
The editorial board, which consists of the staff’s student editors, OR HOWEVER THE DECISION IS MADE will determine the content, including all unsigned editorials. The views stated in editorials represent that of a majority of the editorial board. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author.
The Blazer may accept letters to the editor, guest columns and news releases from students, faculty, administrators, community residents and the general public. We ask that letters to the editor, guest columns or other submissions be 300 words or less and contain the author’s name, address and signature. All submissions will be verified.
The Blazer editorial board reserves the right to withhold a letter or column or other submission and/OR return it for revision if it contains unprotected speech or grammatical errors that could hamper its meaning. Deadlines for letters and columns will be determined by each year’s student staff, allowing sufficient time for verification of authorship prior to publication.
Staff members will strive to correct errors prior to publication; however, if the editorial board determines a significant error is printed, the editorial board will determine the manner and timeliness of a correction.
The staff of The Blazer will strive to report all issues in a legal, objective, accurate and ethical manner, according to the Canons of Professional Journalism developed by the Society for Professional Journalists. The Canons of Professional Journalism include a code of ethics concerning accuracy, responsibility, integrity, conflict of interest, impartiality, fair play, freedom of the press, independence, sensationalism, personal privacy, obstruction of justice, creditability and advertising.
The adviser will not act as a censor or determine the content of the paper. The adviser will offer advice and instruction, following the Code of Ethics for Advisers established by the Journalism Education Association as well as the Canons of Professional Journalism. School officials shall not fire or otherwise discipline advisers for content in student media that is determined and published by the student staff.
The student editor and staff who want appropriate outside legal advice regarding proposed content – should seek attorneys knowledgeable in media law such as those of the Student Press Law Center. Final content decisions and responsibility shall remain with the student editorial board.
The Blazer will not avoid publishing a story solely on the basis of possible dissent or controversy.
The Blazer’s editorial board reserves the right to accept or reject any ad in accordance with its advertising policy.
Electronic manipulations changing the essential truth of the photo or illustration will be clearly labeled if used.
The duly appointed editor or co-editors shall interpret and enforce this editorial policy.
(This template was taken from JEA's website)
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18 comments:
I really liked all the sections of the editorial policy. It got its point across not only in the view to be read by the people, but also by the staff of the newspaper, to appreciate. The parts with the freedom of speech and press, and how we are protected to write what we express is good to put in there because we should get our voice and opinion. Then again, you have to be careful about what we are writing, since we are in a school and someone could get mad or offended and blame it on you.Maybe adding how we should minimize the offensiveness if we have any in an editorial but while still being able to express our thoughts in a more respectful way. However we don't want to sugar-coat things because then it wont be truthful. Just being able to be honest in your opinions but still being respectful.
I thought that the sections of the editorial policy were very good. I think that it gets the point across and getting everything done in a respectful matter. Being backed up with freedom of speech and press is good, but we shouldnt take advantage of it. We should use it respectfully. We should think about what to write before we right it and also think about the audience reading it.
i think that this editorial policy is good. Pretty much everything has been covered.=]
I definately agree but then again better said then done. Lets just hope everyone keeps that in mind as editors of the newspaper.
I completly like this draft of an editoral policy. I especially was taken away in paragraph 13. Where it states "a code of ethics concerning accuracy, responsibility, integrity, conflict of interest, impartiality, fair play, freedom of the press, independence, sensationalism, personal privacy, obstruction of justice, creditability and advertising." because it is all the things that we should keep in mind for the newspaper and in order to have a successful newspaper we should definitly follow this. I also agree with eirene and the whole thing with be backed up by the constitution and freedom of speech and press. I just hope we really stick to it and not get carried away and feel like we can take advantage of our privilage to have a voice and say what ever we want to say. I guess we'll see later in time.
I agree with this editorial policy. I think all topics, issues have been addressed.
I agree with the editorial policy. all the issues have been addressed.
I agree with the editorial policy & everyone here, because all ideas,terms and sections have been covered. We have freedom of speech to speak of whatever we want yet we know that we can't take advantage of it.
I agree with the editorial policy. all the issues have been addressed. =]
i think the editorial policy is a good idea. we have freedom of speech of what we want to say,but still no takes advantage of it.
I agree with the editorial policy.I think all topics, issues have been addressed.
i agree with the editorial policy because every thing has been covered and it's good because we have freedom of speach.
i agree with the Editorial policy, i give give it 100% satisfaction and respect, and in ever paragraph i belive it got all it points showned, and how no regets on it or dout of it being wrong. =]
i agree with Anastasia i think the editoral policy definitly gots it point across and i though it was intersting :D
i liked the editorial policy i thought that it adreesed all the problems very clearly and i liked it.
i like this draft of the editoral policy. I liked paragraph 13 the way it states "a code of ethics concerning accuracy, responsibility, integrity, conflict of interest, impartiality, fair play, freedom of the press, independence, sensationalism, personal privacy, obstruction of justice, creditability and advertising." because it is all the things that we should keep in mind for the newspaper and in order to have a successful newspaper we should definitly follow this.
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