Law & Ethics
Unfortunately, the term “fake news” has been implemented in our culture. As a student-journalist, it is imperative to keep all bias out of my work and fact check. Sometimes, I will be working on a story I know little information about. In these cases, I need to fact check so I know I am reporting facts. My junior year I wrote an opinion called Vaccination Nation. The topic of vaccines has become so controversial. I had my opinion, but I needed to back it up with facts. Before I even started writing my story, I did extensive research. I researched why people support vaccines and why people are against them. I researched the case that caused the controversy. I wanted to make sure that my opinions would be backed up by hard facts. As a journalist, uncovering the facts is important and if the full truth isn’t revealed, the story could show bias.
As a journalist, I also believe it’s important to not misquote people. When interviewing people, not everyone gives phenomenal responses. Some are dry or don’t answer your question in the first place. In these cases, rather than make up a colorful quote, I reask my question or have the interviewee repeat or reword. In my Introduction to Journalism class, I learned to keep all voice memos and notes taken during interviews. This is to ensure that just in case an interviewee claims they did not say what they said in a quote of my story, I have evidence to show them that I did not misquote them. People’s words are powerful. When quoting others, it’s important to stay true to their word.
In my AP Government and Politics class, I learned about the Supreme Court Case Hazelwood School District V. Kuhlmeier where students argued for freedom of press in their schools. It was ruled that student newspapers are subjected to a lower level of First Amendment rights meaning students would not have their full freedom of speech when writing for the student newspaper. Nebraska is trying to combat Hazelwood V. Kuhlmeier with the LB206 bill, also known as the New Voices bill. LB206 would give student-journalists and their advisors their full right to the First Amendment. That being said, student work would not have to be censored before being published. As a student-journalist, I think my voice is just as important as a professional journalist. I am the voice of the school and my peers deserve to hear the full truth. Unfortunately, my right is hindered because of Hazelwood V. Kuhlmeier, therefore, once I enter Millard West, I am giving up some of my First Amendment. It is my hope that Legislature will understand the importance of student-journalists and will give us the rights we deserve.