NationStates Jolt Archive

Should the student press have the same rights as "the real press?"

Sure, if it is the student or school's property they should be free to do with it as they want.

You're supposed to state an opinion on the matter. Or anything else than just a random question.

To answer in the same style, I say yes.

If they pay for the press pass they have the same rights, it is not like a police officer is going to be able to tell the difference between a 21 year old student reporter and a 27 year professional reporter.

If they pay for the press pass they have the same rights, it is not like a police officer is going to be able to tell the difference between a 21 year old student reporter and a 27 year professional reporter.

Hang on, you have to pay for a press pass to count as being in the press?

no, student newspapers are rubbish

especially the communist ones which I laugh at causing everyone to look at me like I'm some sort of libertarian :(

Hang on, you have to pay for a press pass to count as being in the press?

otherwise they cant tell if really a journalist or just a nut. normally the fee is paid by your employer.

I think so, if students want to make an ass of themselves by being biased in their articles, then let them, that way the whole student body can laugh at them.

I think so, if students want to make an ass of themselves by being biased in their articles, then let them, that way the whole student body can laugh at them.

Agreed. Student newspapers have a tendency to suck in a variety of hilarious ways; why should we stand in the way of comedy? My school's paper recently ran a full page review of some old anime.

I think so, if students want to make an ass of themselves by being biased in their articles, then let them, that way the whole student body can laugh at them.

Freedom of the press isn't to allow students to make asses of themselves. It's so that they can write articles without being censored. Also to grant them to information that they may need to write their articles. Schools across the world are baring student reporters from files that could be important to the community.

No. And here's why:

Student newspapers are different from real newspapers. Often, they're a school funded publication or directly associated with the school. This gives the school a bit of leverage on what exactly gets published.

On the other hand, if the students publish the newspaper independently and want to distribute it at the school, the school most certainly has to treat it like any other newspaper and make use of the right not to have it available on school grounds.

no, student newspapers are rubbish

especially the communist ones which I laugh at causing everyone to look at me like I'm some sort of libertarian :(

CAPITALIST SCUM!

To OP what an odd question. I'd like to say they should have the same rights as the 'real press'.
What is this in relation to? just your thoughts or an article you saw perhaps?

otherwise they cant tell if really a journalist or just a nut. normally the fee is paid by your employer.

Why exactly can't some nut be running a shitty publication he prints off himself?

No. And here's why:

Student newspapers are different from real newspapers. Often, they're a school funded publication or directly associated with the school. This gives the school a bit of leverage on what exactly gets published.

On the other hand, if the students publish the newspaper independently and want to distribute it at the school, the school most certainly has to treat it like any other newspaper and make use of the right not to have it available on school grounds.

Agreed, I think that the same restrictions on general speech at school should be up held in a student newspaper, if the school feels it is necessary. In any other club you are expected to adhere to standards that the school has put into place and this applies to the student newspaper, too.

First of all why are you asking this question? Has something happened recently that may help us give a better answer?

Of course student press should have the same rights as normal press, that is to say that the editor will hire writers that fit in with his or her ideals and print of copies that presents stories in whatever bias view they have, like all press outlets do. Of course should the owner and financial supplier of the student paper (The university) is not happy with the editorial of the publication then they should be allowed to express their opinion and dismiss staff members as they like.

Why exactly can't some nut be running a shitty publication he prints off himself?

we are talking about rights of a journalist correct? aka they can get into events and cross fire and police lines in order to right about a story.
Generally if you do not belong to a credible and large news paper, you normally need to pay for a press pass and have a back ground check conducted to
1. ensure you actually work for a news source
2. Are not some sort of threat(extreme communist/anarchist/fascist etc..) that happens to print a news letter.

Student newspapers are different from real newspapers. Often, they're a school funded publication or directly associated with the school. This gives the school a bit of leverage on what exactly gets published.
That's not really an issue of press freedom though. In other papers editors can also decide what should and shouldn't appear in the publication. Press freedom is a matter of influences outside the press limiting what is published.

As for the question: why not? We have press freedom as a manifestation of freedom of opinion, which is necessary for the discourse that allows society to function and develop. Those reasons apply to a student paper just as much as any other publication. So whatever the owners decide to publish, they should be able to.

Of course, if that's flat-out lies and slander, they can expect a reaction.

Should the student press have the same rights as "the real press?"

Why not?

I say on public property, yes they should. Private schools are a whole different field.

As long as it isn't obscene and free from libel, they should have absolute freedom to that point.

My university's student paper, the Lantern, has suffered a significant decrease in quality in recent years. It's had repeated problems with plagiarism, the editorial staff has strongarmed the writers, and article repeats are becoming increasingly common. It's an old student paper, with a distinguished history, and it supports itself, but it's not what it used to be.

Damn uppity students and their "rights", back in my day...*goes on long winded rant*

My university's student paper, the Lantern, has suffered a significant decrease in quality in recent years. It's had repeated problems with plagiarism, the editorial staff has strongarmed the writers, and article repeats are becoming increasingly common. It's an old student paper, with a distinguished history, and it supports itself, but it's not what it used to be.

Nothing lasts forvever...

My university's student paper, the Lantern, has suffered a significant decrease in quality in recent years. It's had repeated problems with plagiarism, the editorial staff has strongarmed the writers, and article repeats are becoming increasingly common. It's an old student paper, with a distinguished history, and it supports itself, but it's not what it used to be.

Do you go to Ohio State University? I guess I could check by Googling "The Lantern," but, eh, I'm not in the mood.

No. The press is (supposed to be) free from prosecution to divulge sources. This is vital to a free press, but not appropriate for minors taking high school journalism.

Hang on, you have to pay for a press pass to count as being in the press?

Sort of. Anyone can let you interview them or cover an event for a story, but without a press pass they can also bar you from such things. When I wrote for the sports department at a county newspaper I had press passes for local high school and college events and one for a professional national sports league. I rarely had to show the local ones.

No. The press is (supposed to be) free from prosecution to divulge sources. This is vital to a free press, but not appropriate for minors taking high school journalism.

thats a lawyer. A reporter risks being held in contempt of court for failure to reveal sources in a criminal matter.

such as here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/20anthrax.html

its simple. if reporters are human beings they have the freedom of speech and expression including the right to free press opinionated or not. its common sense if ur allowed to be racist as a student, u can write a newspaper as a student.

That's not really an issue of press freedom though. In other papers editors can also decide what should and shouldn't appear in the publication. Press freedom is a matter of influences outside the press limiting what is published.

As for the question: why not? We have press freedom as a manifestation of freedom of opinion, which is necessary for the discourse that allows society to function and develop. Those reasons apply to a student paper just as much as any other publication. So whatever the owners decide to publish, they should be able to.

Of course, if that's flat-out lies and slander, they can expect a reaction.From an editor and staff point of view, most student newspapers are not run by teachers or the administration, so the school is technically an outside influence.

Of course, if that's flat-out lies and slander, they can expect a reaction.

What's so bad about lies and slander? If you don't like it, you don't have to read it.

thats a lawyer. A reporter risks being held in contempt of court for failure to reveal sources in a criminal matter.

such as here
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/20anthrax.html

I'm not confusing lawyers and journalists, thank you. I worked for the press for awhile. A journalist may be held in contempt, but they can/should not be charged with any crime for refusing to give up a source.

I believe that they should. Unfortunately in the United States the Supreme Court has ruled that they don't. However the ruling is one that can be undone with an act of Congress.

Should the student press have the same rights as "the real press?"

Perhaps they should. I sometimes come across stuff in the media that shouldn´t even have been let out and then, I come across stuff on the student press that´s worth my time. Equal rights for both presses I say, as long as they´re serious.

I'm not confusing lawyers and journalists, thank you. I worked for the press for awhile. A journalist may be held in contempt, but they can/should not be charged with any crime for refusing to give up a source.
Contempt is a crime.
Yes they should be held for refusing to reveal sources.
the source could pose a danger to society.
Contempt can be criminal or civil in nature.
client attorney privilege is solely for clients and attorneys.