LAW AND ETHICS

Above is an image of my journalism ethics notes from my sophomore year Introduction to Journalism class. I first started to learn what was acceptable and what was not in. Ethics can be tricky because what one person views as ethical another may not. That is why we have guidelines to help create a more uniform guide to what is ethical.

"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."

-Albert Einstein

To me, this quote is the perfect fit while talking about ethics in journalism. It is more important to be known as a journalist who publishes only the most reliable and accurate facts than one who makes something up to come out on top. As a journalist I aim to only write based off the facts of a story. This is important because if journalists do not all do this, then we are feeding into the stigma of "fake news."

The notes above are from my AP Government and Politics class. During the unit on civil liberties and civil rights we were taught the difference between libel and slander, along with accompanying court cases that solidified each one. Neither libel (written defamation) nor slander (spoken defamation) are constitutionally protected. As a journalist this is important to know because it restricts the ability to publish false and malicious statements that can damage someone's reputation.

LEGISLATIVE BILL 206

The images to the left are excerpts from the Neb. legislative bill 206. This bill was introduced to the Neb. unicameral on Jan. 11, 2019. The goal purpose of this bill is to establish a greater independence for student journalists, at both the high school and college level, from their administrations. LB206 would protect journalism advisers and students from punishment if they were to publish anything against the wishes of the school administrators. I am entirely in favor of this bill because I believe that student journalists should have the freedom to publish the truth, even if it harms the school's image, without the fear of getting in trouble. As long as it is not slanderous or libelous, there is no reason that student publications should be denied the ability to publish it. Growing up, I was always taught to not be afraid to speak up for what I believe in and as a journalist I have learned that it is my job to speak the truth. If student journalists continue to be censored by administrations, the ability to spread the truth is being curtailed. One of the biggest advocates for freedom of expression in student journalism is the New Voices Organization. New Voices is student-powered movement that is working towards giving young people the legally protected right to gather information and share ideas about issues of public concern. It is a nationwide network of state-by-state campaigns to pass anti-censorship legislation in favor of student journalists. There are currently 13 states that have successfully passed this type of legislation and five, including Neb., that are in the process of passing their own legislation. My hope is that in the next few years all 50 states will have legislation that helps to protect student journalists' right to freedom of speech without censorship.