Law and Ethics notes

1. What authority do school officials have to control the content of high school student media?


1st amendment: speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition


They can't restrict you unless what you are doing is illegal or threatening. Public schools have more freedom than private schools.


4 major cases: Tinker vs. Des Moines (first amendment protects right to protest on campus), Bethel School District vs. Fraser (Inappropriate speech for class president), Hazelwood School District vs. Huhlmeier (school can censor speech; has to be related to curriculum), Morse vs. Frederick (because it was a school authorized event the school had the authority to censor the banner).


2. Libel- publication of a false statement of fact that seriously harms someones reputation.
Slander- spoken false statement of fact that seriously harms someones reputation.

3. Web Page Notes:

• Different types of stories- Hard news: news of the day, starts with a summary lead (who, what, where, when, why?), information readers need; Soft news: news that isn't time sensitive, profiles about people or organizations; Feature: explores an issue, less time sensitive, complex issues that are too long for hard news; Editorial: expresses an opinion, personal but relevant to the reader; Youthbeat: your story from your point of view; My Word!: short opinion, to the point, not as likely to be a personal narrative
• Structure of an article-

Lead- summarize the story and draw the reader in.

Body- opinions of people you interview, facts, and narrative to help the story flow.