I was pleased to hear about a new bill in California, turned into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Sept. 28, that would help student reporters and their advisors gain more freedoms.
This piece of legislation seeks to keep school administrators from punishing or threatening advisors who encourage and allow students' free speech.
Basically, if a student writes about something that is later deemed "controversial" by the administration, this law would protect the advisor or faculty member from being fired or retaliated against by the school.
I'm really glad this legislation was passed, because I see it as a monumental step forward. It comes at the perfect time,because lately students have been fighting to make their publications reflect student voices and not just serve as "propaganda machines" for their schools.
As a student reporter, if I were covering something that I thought would harm my advisor, I would probably think twice about it. This law will finally give First Amendment rights to students.
"Students believe that teachers should not be punished for the way students think," said high school journalism teacher John Brown. I wholeheartedly agree.
For those of you who don't see the issue at hand, there are some examples as cited in The Advocate's article. One advisor was fired by a school because of a critical editorial he let the students publish. Another advisor, at an LA high school, was fired when his students wrote about the adminstration's random locker searches.
Hopefully this law will quickly become a precedent, and other states will follow with similar legislative actions. The First Amendment is not a luxury or ideal - it is a real, essential, working part of our country's Supreme Law.
So what do you all think? How far should censorship go? Also, if anyone went to private school, you know that there is a whole other issue to be faced. Do private school students waive their rights when they enter into a tuition contract with the school, or should they get rights too? Should this California law apply only to public school administrators, or to everyone? Definitely something to think about.
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5 comments:
To me, it seems illogical that an advisor would be fired if something is being reported that is true. If, however, a bogus report is filed, consequences should be in place.
In the case of the LA school where the advisor was filed after a publication indicated the school performed random locker searches, it seems like the administration had something to hide.
Students have a right to freedom of speech. The advisor should let the students practice their freedom of speech to the extent that it does not harm anyone in a manner deemed inappropriate. (For instance, a student should not criticize another student in the newspaper.)
I think this legislation is a good one. I am not sure if should apply to the private school sector... to much government intervention.
Also, if passed in California, I believe it will inspire other states to create similar legislation. This should be left up to the states, not the federal government.
It is sad that you could lose your job because you are held accountable for someone elses opinion.
I am also glad to hear this passed and hope other states follow, as well.
The passing of this law will surely help students in exercising their freedom of speech. It seems unfair that it is appropriate to let your voice be heard in certain locations while inappropriate in others. I feel that this should be also applied to private school students as well. There should not be limitations on when to speak or when to hold your peace.
I read about this piece of legislation not too long ago, and I was pretty happy about it. Another blow struck against censorship!
Not too say that all censorship is bad, but at the same time, we have to be so careful in what we choose to block out, for fear that we are inhibiting our rights to free speech and freedom of the press. So I am definitely in agreement with Gov. Schwarzenegger's decision.
Arnold just "terminated" restrictions to free speech.
Concerning the question of if students who sign a contract with a private school has the same rights, I think it depends.
Unless the contract cleary states that by signinging it you give up your ability to voice your opinion, then I think whoever would be stupid enough to sign it could forego those rights.
I read some months ago about a student in some high school who was temporarily expelled because the school board didn't like a web site he created.
This obviously caused a big stink and eventually the school's decision change allowing the kid back into school.
How much censorship should we be subjected too?
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