When professional journalists fail to stand up for the rights of student journalists, it feels to students like a betrayal — like those who themselves suffered censorship have forgotten the disempowering feeling of being distrusted. The word of journalism professionals gives cover to those who censor to deny the public truthful information about their failing schools. When journalists side with censors, that is the side they are taking — the side of lies over truth, the side of less information over more.
Tag: reports
‘Tinker Tour’ a chance for honest talk about state of student rights
Beating America’s education establishment in front of the U.S. Supreme Court made Mary Beth a believer in the ability of determined dreamers to accomplish improbable things. Fueled by that belief, she and longtime SPLC staff attorney Mike Hiestand successfully raised $50,000 from 225 donors, big and small, to underwrite the “Tinker Tour” that launched Sept. 17 from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
In brief
FLORIDA — A student editor at Florida Atlantic University has been disciplined for what school officials say was his refusal to follow police orders to leave a crime scene.
Under the dome
NORTH CAROLINA — Legislation that makes police records on private college campuses in the state more accessible was signed into law in June.
Yearbook staffs and advisers guard against the potential for hoaxes
The May arrest of one student on felony charges following a yearbook prank was unusual, but dozens of other similar pranks occur yearly — to the chagrin of the yearbook staffs who try to prevent them.
Student journalists work around Internet filters to reach audiences
Learning to use social media is a crucial skill for student journalists in the digital age, advisers say. At many schools though, school district-imposed Internet filters block most or all of the websites students need.
Q&A
Sara Tirrito: How did your staff come up with the idea for this issue? How did you decide which aspects of Skyway to cover?
Vanessa Abenojar: We thought of “Skyway ain’t so bad” around the beginning of the year because last year we did an issue about the zip code 98118’s area and thought, why not do an issue about a closer neighborhood?
D.C. middle and high school students collaborate to create newspaper
In a city with few student newspapers, a group of high school journalists have helped middle schoolers buck the trend and create their own newspaper to cover issues that concern them.
Closed presidential searches proliferate among colleges across the country
Even in states where public records and open meetings laws make college president searches public, schools have found ways to keep the search secret, much to the chagrin of open government advocates.
States make moves to protect students’ rights to online privacy
Nine states have passed privacy laws, with dozens more considering similar legislation. Now that the laws are going into effect, some schools are having to change policies, particularly with regard to athletes.