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Editorial Policy

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Editorial Policy for Lions’ Digest, the Student Newspaper for State College Area High School

Approved on September 16, 1991

         Lions’ Digest is a student organization at State College Area High School, the chief function of which is to produce a student newspaper which serves as a forum for dissemination of news and ideas of the entire school community. As the producer of a scholastic publication, Lions’ Digest subscribes to the following responsibilities as stated in the code of Ethics for Pennsylvania scholastic journalists and advisers:

A scholastic publication should...”serve the general welfare by:

1.) Informing its audience (students, faculty, administration, parents, alumni and taxpayers) of events of public importance and interest;
 
2.) Interpreting events and issues and reporting the real and possible consequences of those events or issues;
 
3.) Commenting on events of public importance and interest;
 
4.) Serving as a public forum for the free expression of ideas;
 
5.) Serving as a constructive critic of all segments of the school and community; and
 
6.) Upholding the rights to free speech and freedom of the press.

         In performing the above-mentioned functions, all student media should be responsible, fair, accurate, independent and decent.” (Code of Ethics)

 

         Student journalists are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. However, freedom carries with it responsibilities. No story should be covered out of a desire for sensationalism. Student reporters should respect the individual’s right to privacy. Student, unlike professional reporters, may have to consult with officials if they uncover potentially harmful information. “News sources should be identified unless there is a clear reason not to do so. Such reasons should be explained in the article.” (Code of Ethics)
 

The editorial staff of Lions’ Digest will determine the content of the newspaper, based on the following considerations:

1.) Material published should be accurate in content, grammar, spelling and punctuation;
 
2.) Material published should not be obscene to minors;
 
3.) Material published should not be libelous toward any person or group;
 
4.) Material published should be of general interest to the school community;
 
5.) Material should not be published with the intent to cause disruption of school activities; and
 
6.) Material published should not be solely for the promotion of public relations of the school administration.
         Editors reserve the right to reject submitted material that does not comply with this Editorial Policy or on the basis of limited space.

 

         Student journalists must verify all facts and must verify all quotations with the individuals quoted. News reporting should be free of bias, presenting all sides of an issue fairly. Student journalists should refrain from including any personal opinions in reporting or writing, except in editorials.

         Space must be provided in Lions’ Digest for any person or group which wishes to offer opposing views on controversial issues published.

         No person shall change or edit anything which is submitted to the Lions’ Digest unless it is to correct a grammatical or typographical error. If the article, column or editorial contains material which violates the rules stated in the Editorial Policy, or seems awkward or unclear, it shall be returned to the writer for revision. Any member of the Lions’ Digest staff may read anything which is going to be printed in the newspaper at any time before it is printed if he/she wishes to.        
         
          Lions’ Digest prints editorials in each issue which reflect the research and considered opinions of staff members. These either represent the views of the writer or the consensus of the Lions’ Digest staff, and all are signed. All editorials are based on fact. Students are also encouraged to submit letters to he editor which express their own opinions on current issues. All submissions must be addressed “Dear Editor.” All must be signed, and all must state the student’s first period teacher on Thursday (this latter is not printed). These letters are based on opinion and may not have been researched. Headlines will be added to letters which do not have them.
 
Articles submitted for publication must:

1.) meet deadlines;

2.) be objective;

3.) comply with stated Editorial Policy; and

4.) be written in appropriate journalistic style.

 

Photos and artwork submitted for publication must

1.) meet deadlines and

2.) meet journalistic photographic and artistic standards.

3.) Photos must have cutlines.

4.) Artwork must be signed or initialed.

         Lions’ Digest is not an independent scholastic publication, funded by advertising. However, if the staff observes the self-imposed guidelines outlined above, the student journalists and advisers would expect the legal and professional support of the school administration. The experiences of students on the staff are journalistic, partly educational and partly social. It is understood that the State College Area School District administration supports this endeavor, offering guidance and freedom within the guidelines outlined in this statement of policy. Editors of Lions’ Digest will be enrolled in the Journalism II class. Editors will be assigned positions by the managing editor of the previous year and the Journalism II teacher, with the advice of the staff from the previous year. The selection process will involve applications and interviews.