Protocol excerpts

Excerpts from a draft of the Springdale School District’s Student Publications and/or Broadcasts Protocol:

■ Strive for substantive stories that produce insight, generate accountability and inspire reader interest and engagement. Do not yield to those who would suppress such insight or resist accountability.

■ Know when to show restraint in pursuing stories. For example, a spontaneous demonstration in the cafeteria by three students protesting the in-school suspension of a friend may receive notoriety, but its news value likely is insignificant. Furthermore, coverage of the incident may bolster the participants and embolden others to disrupt the cafeteria too.

■ Begin the search for truth with a neutral mind. Do not prejudge issues or events; wait until the facts and perspectives have been gathered and weighed.

■ Review story to make sure information is presented completely and in proper context that will not mislead the news consumer.

■ Recognize inherent differences between the professional news media and the student news media, and understand that the latter will always be subject to some oversight by school administrators. Show administrators how it is in their best interests and the school community’s best interests to recognize student independence, within the parameters of the law, in controlling the content of their news medium.

■ Be especially sensitive to the maturity and vulnerability of young people when gathering and reporting information.