Roles & Values
Law vs. Ethics
1st Amendment
Court Cases
100
List 3 ROLES of school journalism.
School spirit, news reporting, entertainment, matter of record, community image, reader culture, public forum, leadership
100
List the 4 CORE VALUES of the SPJ Code of Ethics.
Seek truth and report it
Minimize harm
Act independently
Be accountable and transparent
100
List the FIVE FREEDOMS guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
1) Freedom of Religion
2) Freedom of Speech
3) Freedom of the Press
4) Freedom of Assembly
5) Freedom of Petition
100
What case created a "test" to decide if schools can limit students' freedom of speech?
Tinker v. Des Moines
(Tinker Test)
200
Which of the journalism VALUES focuses on new & fresh topics / perspectives?
Novelty
200
The Wichita Eagle published four letters and one poem from the BTK Killer, a local serial killer who killed 10 people in Wichita, Kansas. The newspaper has received backlash from viewers for publishing the work of a serial killer.
Is it LEGAL for the newspaper to publish these letters? Why or why not?
Yes, because the newspaper is acting in accordance with freedom of the press. There may be ethical questions about publishing the work of a serial killer, but these are separate from the law.
200
Black Lives Matter protesters gather in front of the White House to demand police reform.
What are 2 Freedoms that are involved in this scenario?
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom of Petition
Freedom of Speech
200
In the case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, the Supreme Court ruled ________________.
Schools can censor inappropriate speech in school-sponsored publications
300
The ROLE of school journalism BEST represented in this picture is _________ because ___________.
School spirit because the main focus of the article is about rallying support for the school's seniors at a pep rally.
300
Provide an example of an action that is ILLEGAL, but could be considered ETHICAL.
EXAMPLE: Counterfeiting money to pay for a loved one's cancer treatment.
300
Your public school begins a sporting event with a student-led prayer over the school’s PA system.
Are the school's actions LEGAL under the 1st Amendment? Why or why not?
No, the school's actions are not legal because the 1st Amendment prohibits the government from promoting or requiring the practice of a specific religion.
300
Identify the two limits on student speech established by the Tinker Test.
Speech is limited if it:
1) Significantly disrupts learning
2) Violates others' rights / causes harm
400
The VALUE of journalism BEST represented in the picture below is ____________ because _________.
Impact because the story is focused on who and how many were affected by the wildfires.
400
A Democratic member of the U.S. Congress, up for re-election to his fourth term, had been accused by an ex-girlfriend of a sexual assault 28 years ago. Neither he nor the ex-girlfriend want the story published, but the Oregonian (newspaper) published the story anyway.
Was it ETHICAL for the Oregonian to publish the article? Support your answer with evidence from the SPJ Code of Ethics.
YES: "Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable." The people deserve to know the character of their Congressman.
NO: "Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort." This report harms those involved more than it helps others.
400
A neighborhood store sells you an iPod that doesn’t work. The cashier won’t give you a refund. You decide to go back into the store with some of your friends and stand just inside the front door with signs that say, “Don’t Shop Here!” The store owner makes you leave.
Can the store owner LEGALLY stop the protest under the 1st Amendment? Why or why not?
Yes, the store owner is allowed to stop the protest because:
1) The 1st Amendment only applies to the government, not private citizens
2) You are protesting on the store owner's property and they have the right to ask you to leave
400
A student posts a profanity-ridden Instagram story criticizing the school volleyball coach's decision to cut them from the team.
Can the school require the student to take down the post or pursue disciplinary action? Why or why not?
Generally, the school CAN NOT limit the student's speech in this case because it is neither disruptive nor harmful to others' rights.