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Bell ringers

Five-minute lesson

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Understanding student media policies and guidelines

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Understanding student media policies and guidelines

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How to use this slideshow

This is meant to be used over the course of several days.

For each of the questions, student media staffs should research their current applicable policy or guideline.

This is meant to be a proactive approach to some of the more common or perplexing situations student media staffs encounter.

These are meant to be brief conversation starters and reminders for staffs.

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Day 1

What do we do if:

Someone requests to see content before it’s published (also called prior review)?

  • What does your policy state?
  • State law?
  • What if the person tries to censor content?

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Day 2

What do we do if:

Someone requests content is taken down?

  • What does your policy state?

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Day 3

What do we do if:

Someone asks a photographer to delete a photo?

  • What does your policy state?

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Day 4

What do we do with coverage if:

A student or staff member passes away?

  • What does your policy state?

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Day 5

What do we do if:

Someone violates copyright?

  • What does your policy state?
  • What can media staffs legally use?

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Day 6

What do we do if:

Someone uses email/text or social media for an interview?

  • What does your policy state?
  • Why is it important to do in-person interviews when possible?
  • Why should you avoid using email/text or social media for interviewing?

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Day 7

What do we do if:

Someone violates copyright?

  • What does your policy state?
  • What can media staffs legally use?

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Day 8

What do we do if:

Someone lodges a complaint against student media?

  • What does your policy state?

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Day 9

What do we do if:

A staffer makes an error?

  • What does your policy state?

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Day 10

What do we do if:

Someone is refused entry to an open event (such as a school board meeting)?

  • What does your policy state?
  • What can media staffs legally access?

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Day 11

What other question or instance do you have a question about?

How can staffs access help if needed?

SPLC and JEA’s SPRC provide resources for advisers and students. Members of NSPA also can get a digital version of its Code of Ethics for free.

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This lesson was produced by Quill and Scroll. If you are interested in helping us create more content like this, please apply for our Student Advisory Board.

For more information on this offering, please see our website.

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