Student Media - Bishop Kenny High School

The Shield
Student Media - Bishop Kenny High School

The Shield
Student Media - Bishop Kenny High School

The Shield

Editorial Policy

Thanks to The JEA Model Editorial Policy and Kirkwood High School for guiding us through this process.

 

BISHOP KENNY HIGH SCHOOL MEDIA EDITORIAL POLICY

 

“The vigilant protection of constitutional freedoms is nowhere more vital than in the community of American schools.”

–Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

 

The BKHS Media Editorial Policy pertains to BKHS media, including the newspaper, The Shield, and the website bktoday.com. 

 

BKHS Media is the official student-produced media of news and information published/produced by BKHS Media students. BKHS Media has been established as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience. It will be reviewed by school officials prior to publication. Advisers may – and should – coach and discuss content during the production process.

 

  1. THE STUDENT EDITORS

 

  1. The student editors decide on all decisions that pertain directly to the BKHS media that the student editors oversee.
  2. 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 student editors.
  3. The duly appointed editor or co-editors shall interpret and enforce this editorial policy.

 

III. THE ADVISER

 

  1. The adviser is a professional teaching staff member and is in charge of the class just as in a conventional classroom situation;
  2. Is a certified journalism teacher that serves as a professional role model, motivator, catalyst for ideas and professionalism, and an educational resource;
  3. Provides a journalistic, professional learning atmosphere for students by allowing them to make the decision of content for the media and ensuring the media will remain an open forum;
  4. Guides the media in accordance with approved editorial policy and aids the educational process related to producing material;
  5. Will keep abreast of the latest trends on journalism and share these with students;
  6. Will submit student media produced by the students to rating services and contests in order for the school publications staff to receive feedback;
  7. Will forward any received correspondence and/or information to the appropriate editors;
  8. Will provide information to the staff about journalism scholarships and other financial aid, and make available information and contacts concerning journalism as a career;
  9. Will work with the faculty and administration to help them understand the professional goals of the school publications;
  10. 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. 

 

  1. THE BUILDING ADMINISTRATION

 

  1. The Bishop Kenny High School administration will provide the students of BKHS with a qualified journalism instructor to serve as a professional role model, adequate classroom equipment, and space for a sound journalism program.
  2. BKHS administration will offer equal opportunity to minority and/or marginalized students to participate in journalism programs.
  3. BKHS administration is required to view and approve publication content before publishing.

 

  1. CONTENT OF BKHS MEDIA

 

  1. INTRODUCTION

 

All content decisions will be made in occurrence to the following provisions, while keeping in mind that the overall purpose, role and goal of all BKHS Media is to:

  1. Inform, interpret and entertain their readers through accurate and factual reports, where information has been thoroughly gathered and information has been completely verified;
  2. Serve as an educational laboratory experience for those on staff;
  3. Be accurate, fair and impartial in its coverage of issues that affect the school community;
  4. Cover the total school population as effectively and accurately as possible;
  5. The staff of BKHS Media 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, credibility and advertising.

 

  1. REGARDING PROFANITY

 

  1. The media will not print unnecessary profanity.
  2. The administrative reviewer will make the decision on whether content is considered profane or whether it is a cultural or non-vulgar slang term.
  3. The student editors reserve the right to edit quotes for unnecessary profanity, repetition of content, grammar mistakes and vulgarity; quotes that have been edited will be noted accordingly when published.
  4. Any edited quote will be read back to the source prior to publishing and sources will have a chance to make changes.
  5. Staff interviewers have the right to ask a source when necessary to repeat a quote without the use of profane language.

 

  1. REGARDING STAFF WRITING

 

  1. Any writing submitted from an outside source for use will be accepted upon request of the student editors or when open opportunities arise, and will be viewed by editor-in-chief(s) and adviser for verification.
  2. Any material submitted from an outside source can be edited by the student editors and must comply with this policy.
  3. Writing must be the original work of the writer and not previously published on any publication, unless otherwise specified by the adviser and editor-in-chief(s).

 

  1. REGARDING EDITORIALS

 

  1. All printed editorial subject matter will be determined by the student editors.
  2. The media will not publish any material for which there is evidence that the author is using the paper for inappropriate personal gain.
  3. The media will endeavor to provide a chance for comment on all sides of a critical issue in the same edition.
  4. The views stated in editorials represent that of a majority of the publication’s staff. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author.

 

  1. REGARDING CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES

 

  1. All coverage of controversial issues will occur upon a timely subject.
  2. All sides of the issue will be presented and reviewed so as to refrain from any bias, with the exception of opinion pieces.
  3. In news, all sides of a school, community, city, state, national, or international political issue will be presented factually so as to inform rather than promote or endorse.
  4. The media will not publish material that is unnecessarily obscene, libelous or an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
  5. The media will not attack people and/or organizations;
  6. If question on the veracity of publication persists, the issue will be brought to the student editors who must consider the following questions before publication of the piece:
    1. Why is it a concern?
    2. What is its journalistic purpose?
    3. Is the information accurate and complete?
    4. Are any important POVs omitted?
    5. How would we feel if the story was about ourselves or someone we know?
    6. What are the consequences’ of the publication?
    7. Is there a logical explanation to anyone who challenges the issue?
    8. Is it worth risking our credibility?
    9. What are the alternatives?

 

  1. REGARDING BYLINES

 

  1. All articles, graphics, photos, art, columns, pages, reviews and other material creatively conceived, with exception to staff editorials, Kenny Kupid, mug shots and cutouts will be bylined with the producer’s name.
  2. All bylined writers will be held accountable for their work.
  3. When more than one person has contributed creatively to a piece of work, any person who has contributed to the work must be bylined as a producer.

 

  1. REGARDING NEWS AND FEATURES

 

  1. The media will specialize in and emphasize on informing their readers of school news and unique students in the Bishop Kenny High School community.
  2. The media will cover community, state, national and international news if it is directly relevant to the school community, and includes local angles.
  3. The media will strive to provide coverage to all school organizations and functions.
  4. When faced with undesirable news such as student or staff or faculty crimes, the publications will endeavor to publish the facts correctly, explain the issue and put a stop to any speculative stories that inevitably develop.
  5. Major district issues and news will be priority over school news (these major issues will be decided by the student editors).

 

  1. REGARDING DEATHS

 

  1. Any current student, staff member, faculty member or building administrator who dies during the year will be recognized in the school media unless the family declines.
  2. The media will publish factual information (date of birth, date of death, survivors) in an article including one mug shot if possible on bktoday.com.
  3. The school media will work to obtain permission from the deceased’s family before publishing any information regarding the cause of death; if permission is not granted, the student editors reserve the final say in publication of cause of death. 
  4. The school media will treat all deaths in a tasteful, respectful way.
  5. An issue, or portion of an issue, should not be dedicated to or in memory of the deceased.
  6. Any current student, staff member, faculty member or building administrator who dies during the year will be recognized in the school yearbook if still within publication time.

 

  1. REGARDING ILLUSTRATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, GRAPHICS, ETC.

 

  1. All captions will record the who and other necessary information in the photo.
  2. All photographs must be captioned and bylined, with the exception of mug shots and cutouts.
  3. Bylines are required on all online photos and galleries.
  4. Artwork represents the interpretations of the artist, not necessarily of the staff or BKHS.
  5. The publications will not publish any photos, illustrations etc. that ridicule, demean or misleadingly represent any individual or group unless it is an editorial visual. 
  6. Electronic manipulations changing the essential truth of the photo or illustration will be clearly labeled if used.

 

  1. REGARDING ERRORS

 

  1. Concerns about errors in the school media may be submitted through the adviser, at [email protected].
  2. The student editors retain the right to determine whether, subjectively, an error has been made.
  3. Known and or found errors that are brought to the attention of the school media will be addressed regardless if realized by author, audience or staff member.
  4. Staff members will strive to correct errors prior to publication; however, if the student editors determine a significant error is printed, the student editors will determine the manner and timeliness of  a correction.
  5. Major corrections are determined by the editors and adviser.

 

  1. REGARDING ADVERTISING

 

  1. The publications will not accept advertising for products that are illegal for minors to purchase and/or use.
  2. Students not of legal age whose photographs appear in an advertisement of the publications are required to sign a model release form, as well as their legal guardian.
  3. The publications will not run advertisements without a proper signature on the advertising contract which explains terms of payment, content, size, publishing dates and includes attached layout.
  4. The publications will accept personal or classified advertising.
  5. All advertisements need to be approved by the student editors, any advertisement not deemed appropriate by student editors will not run.
  6. The publications will cease to publish advertising of any advertiser that does not meet payment obligations specified in school contact.
  7. If a published advertisement is incorrect in substantive content, a reduced price or corrected run will be negotiated.
  8. Web advertisements appear in a specified section of the website.
  9. Advertising that appears in the media is not necessarily endorsed by the media or its staff members, editorial board or adviser. 

 

 

 

  1. REGARDING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND ONLINE COMMENTS

 

  1. Letters to the editor will be printed in the newspaper or on the website.
  2. Letters to the editor may be submitted to Ms. Durbin’s room (224) or emailed to [email protected].
  3. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed and must include the writer’s email or phone number for verification.
  4. Letters to the editor will be verified by a member of the student editors to determine the authenticity of the writer.
  5. No material will be printed where content is obscene, invasive of another’s’ privacy, encouraging physical disruption of school activities and/or implies libel.
  6. The BKHS Media student editors reserve 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.
  7. All letters to the editor become the property of the school newsmagazine upon receipt and will not be returned to the author.
  8. Online comments will require a name and email address submitted that are verifiable.
  9. Alerts will be sent to staff editors each time a comment is posted to the site.
  10. Online comments that are found in violation of the editorial policy will be removed as quickly as possible.
  11. Personal attacks are not allowed.

 

  1. REGARDING REVIEWS

 

  1. The reviewer must have experience in the area in which they are reviewing.
  2. All reviews will be bylined and all reviews will express opinions of the author, the student editors and newspaper staff do not express opinions on the subject matter.
  3. All reviews will be to evaluate and inform, not to promote.
  4. Evaluative criteria used will be determined by student editors depending on whether the event or item being reviewed is professional or amateur in nature.
  5. All reviews must first be reviewed by the opinions editor prior to publishing.
  6. All reviews need to be reviewed and printed in a current and timely manner.

 

  1. SOCIAL MEDIA

 

  1. Social media will be used to promote BKHS media, to promote published content and to engage the BKHS community.
  2. The student editors reserve the right to remove comments that violate this policy, including but not limited to those with profanity, bullying or demeaning language or factually incorrect claims that are potentially harmful. The student editors also reserve the right to remove comments from and block spam accounts.
  3. Information posted on social media platforms should be held to the same standard as all other reporting in terms of information gathering and fact checking.
  4. The official social media accounts should avoid promotion of events and remain objective, reporting what is fact.
  5. Information gained through social media channels should be verified through multiple channels before passing it along to others.
  6. Audience engagement through social media should be done in a professional manner.
  7. Transparency is important. Mistakes made on social media posts should be corrected as soon as possible.

 

  1. PUBLICITY

 

  1. The goal of media marketing is to promote and expand the media viewing audience.
  2. The publicity team will work with all aspects of the media.
  3. The publicity team will work to attend most major events held by the school with the intent of promotion.
  4. All events or important dates known by adviser, staff members or student editors will be passed along to the staff.
  5. The Public Relations Manager will work with the web team to promote the publication through outside sources such as Twitter and Instagram.

 

  1. PRIOR REVIEW POLICY

 

  1. Sources will be able to have quotes read back at the time of the interview or at the reporter’s initiative.
  2. Sources will not be able to arbitrarily demand to read the reporter’s completed story and then perform editing tasks on that story.
  3. The media reporters will endeavor to include the name and identity of all sources if the reporter believes that doing so will not result in endangerment, harassment or any other form of undue physical, mental, emotional anguish for the source.
  4. The media reporters will not, within all boundaries of law, reveal a source who asks to remain nameless.
  5. All media interviewers will respect the interviewees’ rights to have information remain “off the record” if the fact is known before giving the information to the interviewer.
  6. The media will not be reviewed by anyone outside of the student editors aside from the adviser prior to its release to the public. The adviser is allowed to review the publication, but not required to, for the sole purpose of acting as legal consultant and educator in terms of unprotected speech; the adviser reading content is not considered prior review unless he/she makes changes or directs changes.

 

  1. STUDENT & STAFF PUBLICATION POLICY

 

  1. All students and staff of Bishop Kenny High School are eligible for publication in the BKHS student newspaper or website.
  2. Any student or staff member wishing to ‘opt out’ of being published in the student media needs to fill out the appropriate ‘opt out’ form with the guidance office and alert the student media adviser of plans to ‘opt out.’
  3. All efforts will be made to keep students and staff who have ‘opted out’ of coverage from publication in the BKHS Media.

 

VI: STAFF POLICY FOR SELECTION AND DISMISSAL

 

  1. EDITOR AND STAFF SELECTION PROCESS

 

  1. Editor-in-chief(s) and other editor level positions are chosen by faculty adviser, with input from the previous year’s student editors.
  2. New and returning staffers are judged by application, previous work, potential and perquisite class work.
  3. Applicants are not turned down because of age, race, sex, religion, mental or physical handicap that do not impair editorial responsibilities.
  4. The staff and editors are selected each January. The adviser reserves the right to make changes to the list as he/she deems necessary.
  5. Editor titles and positions are not named until after all media have finalized publication for the previous year.

 

  1. REGARDING STAFF DISMISSAL

 

  1. All individuals involved with BKHS media are considered a team, each member is expected to complete all assigned stories, pages, photos, etc. on or before the assigned deadline. Staff members, including editors, may be dismissed from their positions and/or the publications’ staff itself if any of the following violations occur:
    1. Continuously missed deadlines (dismissal procedures will take place by choice of adviser and editor(s)-in-chief)
    2. Plagiarism
    3. Quote falsification
    4. Vandalism or theft of publication equipment
    5. Continuous negative or pessimistic attitude toward staff member or adviser
    6. Submitting an advanced page design, story, photo or other publishable item to anyone outside the media staff without approval by the student editors
    7. Two suspensions in one academic year
    8. Failing to fulfill job as outlined in the job description

Major infractions will result in immediate dismissal from staff duties and dismissal from class and staff at the end of semester (major infractions include but are not limited to the following: plagiarism, vandalism, theft).

  1. Minor infractions will be given a written warning for the first one. The second one is immediate dismissal from staff duties and dismissal from class and staff at the end of semester.
  2. Warnings will be written and signed by the adviser and editor-in-chief(s), as well as staff member in question.
  3. An editor will face the possibility of being stripped of her or his title if suspended.
  4. First misdemeanor or arrest will result in the loss of editor’s title, and second will result in dismissal from staff.
  5. Each member of the student editors and adviser will attend a meeting with potentially dismissed students to discuss the issue and the adviser will make the final decision.
  6. The academic nature of the school newspaper class allows removal of editors or staff members when school and or established media policy is violated.
  7. The above list infractions could all result in dismissal however, staff dismissals are not limited to the listed infractions.
  8. A dismissed staff member receiving academic credit may be given a grade of F and will not be allowed to register for any other journalism courses (will not preempt school policy).
  9. Dismissal procedures are reviewed and approved by the student editors.
  10. The dismissed staff member may appeal their dismissal in writing to the student editors within three school days following dismissal.
  11. All dismissal appeals will be directed to the building principal and the student editors.

 

VII. QUERIES

 

  1. Questions or complaints concerning material published in the media should be made to the editor-in-chief(s) who will present the concern at the next scheduled student editors meeting.
  2. Resolutions will be made within the limits of deadlines.

 

VIII. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

 

  1. The BKHS media should be a member of state, national and/or international organizations.
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