Tag: public

Can school officials search my personal social media accounts?

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Are school officials allowed to search for and look at my personal (non-school-affiliated) social media accounts without my permission? A: Yes. Once you post something online it’s pretty much fair game for anyone (school officials, current or… Continue reading Can school officials search my personal social media accounts?

College journalists in New Jersey describe years of “intimidation, harassment, threats” by administrators

Youngtown Edition’s staffers posing with signs of support at Board of Trustees meeting / Luna Wroblewski

NEW JERSEY — Student journalists at the County College of Morris recently went before the school’s Board of Trustees with more than two years of documented incidents with school administrators — saying administrators intimidated the student newspaper staff from doing their jobs and eventually ousted their adviser. The Youngtown Edition’s Editor-in-Chief Alexa Wyszkowski, Managing Editor… Continue reading College journalists in New Jersey describe years of “intimidation, harassment, threats” by administrators

Illinois school district censors student newspaper. Is it a violation of the New Voices law?

The Central Times student newspaper staff / Vivian Zhao

ILLINOIS — A school district censored an article published in a high school newspaper, then locked away the print issues for nearly 24 hours, which students say violated their rights as journalists. The Central Times is the student newspaper at Naperville Central High School in a western suburb of Chicago. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief Vivian Zhao… Continue reading Illinois school district censors student newspaper. Is it a violation of the New Voices law?

A Radford employee stole student newspapers, but the university won’t say who

The Tartan newsroom / Dylan Lepore

UPDATE: An unnamed Radford University employee has been identified by university police as the person who stole campus newspapers from at least four newsstands in September. In a letter to Tartan editor-in-chief Dylan Lepore, Radford University Police Chief David Underwood wrote that a “classified staff employee” was found responsible for stealing papers from four stands.… Continue reading A Radford employee stole student newspapers, but the university won’t say who

Student media adviser removed just nine days before semester begins

(Fernando Gallo [right] with a former student)

CALIFORNIA — A faculty adviser for a student newspaper in California was removed from his position less than two weeks before the fall semester began, a move the student editor believes was a result of critical coverage of administrators. For a single semester, Fernando Gallo, a former journalist, served as head adviser to the Inquirer,… Continue reading Student media adviser removed just nine days before semester begins

Texas, Oklahoma student newspapers collab for epic dual issue

TEXAS — Hitting newsstands down south on Thursday is a 48-page, double-cover collaborative issue of The Daily Texan and The OU Daily, celebrating the 115th Red River Showdown. On the gridiron, Texas and Oklahoma are the opposite of friendly. But the school's student newspapers worked tirelessly together to create the commemorative issue in time for… Continue reading Texas, Oklahoma student newspapers collab for epic dual issue

Penn State’s Collegian stands by editorial criticizing Barstool, despite backlash from fans

(Aabha Vora / Daily Collegian)

PENNSYLVANIA — Editors at the Daily Collegian are defending a recent editorial criticizing Barstool Sports President Dave Portnoy for comments he made toward a Penn State dean. The student journalist who authored the editorial received substantial personal attacks and pushback on social media. How it started The eventual series of conflicts stem from a Sept.… Continue reading Penn State’s Collegian stands by editorial criticizing Barstool, despite backlash from fans

Ask SPLC: Can we publish a photo of school employees smoking outside the lunchroom?

Q: One of my photographers took a photo of some school employees smoking outside the school lunchroom. Can we publish the photo or would that be invading their privacy? A: School employees have much the same privacy rights as anyone else. There are certain places (bathrooms, private office, other private spaces not generally accessible to the public,… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Can we publish a photo of school employees smoking outside the lunchroom?

For second time this session, Arkansas puts more student media protections into law

(Left to right) Bill sponsor Rep. Mark Lowery, Henderson State University student D'erra Talley, Arkansas Press Association executive director Ashley Wimberly, HSU student Sara Densmore, HSU adviser Steve Listopad and HSU student Cle'varus Oney. Credit: Aaron Sadler, Arkansas Press Association communications director.

UPDATE: Protections for Arkansas student journalists were again expanded this year after amendments to the 1995 Student Publications Act were signed by the governor. HB1432, now Act 912, was signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson during the week of April 8 and makes several incremental changes to the decades-old law. The law now covers all school-sponsored… Continue reading For second time this session, Arkansas puts more student media protections into law