Covering Controversy

When do you do it?How do you do it?

By Adam Dawkins

A Little Background

• Since the 1800s, schools have been granted in loco parentis

• State v. Pendergrass, 19 N.C. 365 (1837) Schools can discipline in any way deemed useful in training students to become “virtuous members of society”

• Courts didn’t want to challenge a school’s authority

• When did this reverse?

Did you know:

Administrators across the country have found the following topics controversial:

• Tattoos• Teen Pregnancy• Divorce• Psychedelic Drugs

• Drug Abuse

• Oral Sex• Big Businesses taking over Small Towns

• Bus Fumes Lawsuit

• Social Networking Sites

Consider this:

Last week a student was suspended for wearing a t-shirt to school that said, “Start Wars” underneath a picture of the Republican Symbol (Elephant) holding a light saber. The school argued that the boy was promoting violence, which is why they initially asked him to turn his t-shirt inside out. He refused so they punished him for violating the dress code. The boy is filing a lawsuit against the school for violating his First Amendment rights.

Hmmmm…

How does your staff decide

to cover this situation?

Or what about this?

Four students were killed in a car accident over the weekend. No drinking or drugs were involved in the crash, and it was determined to be the fault of the student driving. No students were wearing a seatbelt. Two of the four students were well known and actively involved in the school through clubs and athletics. The other two were not as prominent in the school.

How does your staff decide to cover this situation?

Hmmm…

Or even this:

Your community recently published a report that it has the highest percentage of STDs contracted through oral sex reported in the state in people ages 13 - 19. Your community is fairly conservative and religiously active.

Hmmm…

How does your staff decide to cover this situation?

The Truth

• Controversy happens.• There is a right and a wrong way to approach it.

Let’s go back to the STD Issue

• Montrose High School: Three part series

Solid interviews

Fact-based In the clear and rewarded for coverage

• Emerald High School: Same issue Student focused interviews

Implicating Quotes

In the court

What makes the difference?

• Good, clear angle• Multiple interviews from a variety of sources

• Solid, in-depth research• Mature look at the topic• Remembering the focus and goal

What do student journalists have to remember?

• The law STILL applies to student journalists

• Student journalists should still be following a code of ethics

• Good reporting will only make your situation better

10 Tips to Help You Out—Courtesy H.L. Hall

• There is a solid process to use when you cover a story that can be considered controversial.

• This checklist can help keep you, your staff, and your adviser in a good position when used well.

1) Decide Why

• Is it simply sensational?• Is it just to gain readers?• Do you have a relevant angle?• Is there a local connection?

2) Anticipate the Reaction

• Students must be able to defend the choice to report.

• Anticipate questions or issues your readers will have.

• Can the reporter show perspective and background? Past similar situations?

• Does it have a local spin and a larger connection/implication?

• And, above all else, have the staff ask, “How would I feel if the story were about me?”

3) Reliable Sources

• Sources have to come from both sides of the issue.

• Interview and cite local experts.• Avoid using only anecdotal stories or opinions when the story is short on facts.

• Can info be documented visually?• Provide background and all perspectives.

4) Avoid Anonymous Sources

• But…if you have to: Only the student writer and editor should know the source

DO NOT share that information with your adviser!

Make sure the source is RELIABLE

5) Protect Your Sources

• If the story is about unique circumstances, interview the source’s parents (not for permission, but for perspective)

• Know how Shield Laws do — or do not — apply

• Take steps to prevent your notes or information from being confiscated

6) Involve the Editorial Board

• Follow the story from beginning to end Planning Researching Interviewing Drafting Coaching Rewriting Editing Finalizing Designing

• More likely this way to find potential problems or discover errors in facts

• Make sure information being discussed is still kept private

• Remember…what happens in the staff room stays in the staff room.

7) Check Your Facts

• Just because someone says it or provides it, doesn’t mean it is fact.

• Authenticate facts with at least one other source.

• Provide enough time so the story is not careless

• Be transparent with your sources• Observe, research, and inform

8) Adhere to Professional Standards

• Take into account your community’s standards and mores

• Remember your responsibility to tell the truth while minimizing harm

• Your duty is to truth, accuracy, and thoroughness

• Revisit the SPJ Code of Ethics

9) Even if it’s legal, doesn’t mean go for it

• Don’t jump the gun; think the situation through first.

• Balance your right to tell with your need to tell and the rights of the individuals you cover

10) Get a Second Opinion

• Consult a professional journalist, the SPLC, or another school and experienced adviser

• Know what is protected and what isn’t

• Know where to go for legal advice

Now Consider This…

• What scenarios are your staff likely to cover?

• How are you going to go about covering those?

What do you do when…

A girl at the school stole another student’s car while the girl was at tennis practice. The keys had been taken from the girl’s bag. The car was reported stolen, and two weeks later while with friends, the girl whose car was stolen saw the other student driving her car. They proceeded to follow the thief, corner her, and call police. Charges are being pressed, and the school suspended her for three days.

What do you do when…

The state just published scores on standardized tests (reported through the local professional paper). Your school did not perform as well as the other schools in the district. In fact, the scores were so much lower that the administration decided to remove some teachers and hire many new teachers. When the admin hears that the student newspaper is writing an article about this, they ask the adviser to remove the story from the issue.

Last Thoughts

• When you choose to cover controversy, knowledge is key

• More than anything now, the courts have established the necessity for student journalists to be well versed in ethics and critical thinking