Q: Is my student newspaper legally responsible for online comments that someone outside of our organization may post? A: If the comments are made by outsiders and not your own staff, the Communications Decency Act provides legal shield to you and your website. These protections apply even if you are aware of objectionable content or voluntarily… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Is my newspaper responsible for comments on our posts?
Q: Is my newspaper legally responsible for online comments that someone outside of our organization may post? A: If the comments are made by outsiders and not your own staff, the Communications Decency Act provides legal shield to you and your website. These protections apply even if you are aware of objectionable content or voluntarily screen… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Do we have the right to reject advertisements?
More bills protecting the First Amendment rights of student journalists are moving through statehouses than ever before, according to a Student Press Law Center tally. The 11 bills are part of a nationwide effort to pass “New Voices” bills in state legislatures, which effectively counteract and clarify the limits of the 1988 Hazelwood School District… Continue reading A record number of states have introduced New Voices bills in 2019
A: It depends. First of all, it is a good idea for your publication to have a policy on takedown demands or retractions. Many publications have a policy that is some variation of stating that there will be no takedowns or retractions unless something in the article is false. It is important to keep in mind… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Am I obligated to take down an embarrassing story if the subject of it asks?
ARKANSAS — An Arkansas school district drew national criticism after it apparently broke state law by censoring the paper and halting its publication. The district also announced it would implement prior review. Springdale Public Schools backtracked and allowed online publication of the censored story and editorial, but significant obstacles remain unresolved. The Student Press Law… Continue reading Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain
VERMONT — Student journalists at Burlington High School used the state’s New Voices law to successfully fight back against censorship and prevent the reinstatement of a prior review policy. On Sept. 10, the BHS Register was the first to report about an investigation by the Vermont Agency of Education focused on the school’s director of guidance, Mario Macias.… Continue reading Vermont high school students use New Voices law to win censorship dispute
NORTH CAROLINA — Alexis Wray, editor in chief of The A&T Register at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is among the few who was looking forward to Hurricane Florence’s east coast arrival on Thursday. “I am extremely excited,” Wray said. She’s not excited about the Category 2 hurricane, but does want to be a source of… Continue reading As Hurricane Florence crashes into the Carolinas, student journalists report through the storm
FRIDAY, SEPT. 7 Welcome back to school! From Sept. 4-7 we're posting an article each day with links to key legal issues and topics that will help get your academic year off to a strong start. Our Day Four links can help you develop a professional, candid relationship with administrators. They don’t always like what… Continue reading Back to School Tips — Day Four: Start the year right with your school’s administrators
Thursday, Sept. 6 Welcome back to school! From Sept. 4-7 we're posting links to key legal issues and topics to ensure your academic year is off to a great start.Day One: Strong journalism is your best defense.Day Two: Having "The Talk"Our Day Three links center on the complexities of copyright and other journalism and legal… Continue reading Back to School Tips — Day Three: Copyright, model agreements and other key topics
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5 Welcome back to school! From Sept. 4-7 we're posting links to key legal issues and topics to ensure your academic year is off to a great start. Day One: Strong journalism is your best defense. Our Day Two topic is about how to be an effective journalism adviser. As the school… Continue reading Back to School Tips — Day Two: Having “The Talk”
