Delaware and Pennsylvania are the only states with open records exemptions for “publicly funded” or “state-related” universities — institutions that receive taxpayer dollars but receive a majority of their funding from private donors. The laws permit UD, Delaware State and four other institutions — University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania State University, Temple University and Lincoln University — to limit what information the public has access to.
Tag: Fall 2014
Protections inconsistent for student journalists who withhold names of sources
Most journalists avoid using anonymous sources, with many schools discouraging it in nearly all situations. But student journalists often find that the only way to attack controversial or sensitive — but significant — issues in schools, is to turn to anonymous sources.
FERPA amendment would establish ‘safeguards’ for student data privacy
As the prevalence of student data collection in educational institutions increases, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act’s use is once again in question. And while the proposed changes may not further restrict journalists’ access records, they also don’t alleviate any challenges.
As school officials work to counter cyberbullying, state lawmakers ensure student off-campus privacy isn’t trampled
While school officials often say such searches are necessary to combat cyberbullying and other illegal activity, several lawmakers and free speech advocates argue efforts to regulate off-campus speech are an invasion of students’ privacy.
Muting the airwaves: As colleges sell off their radio stations, student deejays grapple with their identities in the digital age
College radio stations, home to aspiring broadcast journalists and deejays, have reached an existential crisis — whether or not terrestrial radio, or analog, benefits their organizations any longer.
Protections for student journalists in critical care
An eye-popping July 2014 report from the Pew Research Journalism Project, “America’s Shifting Statehouse Press,” documents the near-extinction of the statehouse press corps across America: Since 2003 – and state governments were under-covered even then – the number of full-time reporters working in state Capitols is down 35 percent.
Advocating for student rights for 40 years
As the SPLC celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Executive Director Frank LoMonte said there are too many goals he needs to reach before he can even consider stopping. He said he wants to focus on larger policy issues which would allow student journalists across the country to do their jobs with fewer barriers.
Legal Analysis: Copyright Registration or Creative Commons License?
Much has been said, written and debated about the shortcomings of copyright law. The criticism often includes the obvious – that laws arising out of a fifteenth century technology (the printing press) cannot possibly remain relevant in the digital age.