HiLite adviser Jim Streisel's Cliff Note's definition of the standard:
Students understand the history, development and function of a free and independent press in the United States.
This standard at Carmel High School is taught during Newspaper I, the prerequisite course to be on the HiLite staff. Throughout middle school, I never had to learn how the press was developed in the United States. In fact, after learning about the First Amendment in eighth grade social studies class, I thought that everyone, no matter who you are, was allowed to say whatever they would like to say under "Free Speech". However, last year, I was exposed to some of the challenges that students faced in history just so they can have a voice.
Bethel v. Fraser
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In 1986, Fraser, a student at Bethel High School, used sexual metaphors at a school assembly to nominate his friend for an officer position. This is almost an extension to the Tinker v. Des Moines case: Is vulgar language protected under the First Amendment rights of a high school student? The final ruling used the Tinker v. Des Moines case definition of "school may regulate student speech if it disrupts the operation of a public school"; consequently, because the vulgar language disrupted the students from concentrating during class, the court ruled in favor of Bethel High School. The result? Schools are allowed to censor student speech if vulgar, derogatory language is used in it, which also includes student publication.
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This is the most important court case for journalism students as it directly affected the student publication in the Hazelwood School District. The principal objected to and removed two articles from the newspaper: one described specific sexual content for the understanding of pregnancy at the school, while the other discussed the impact of divorce without the parents' consent. Is the principal justified in deleting these two stories? Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of the principal to some extent. Since it's a school-sponsored publication, the school is allowed to control what gets printed or not IF AND ONLY IF they are concerned emotional maturity of the audience. HOWEVER, the school may not remove publications for the reason of "maintaining the school's image".
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Hazelwood v. Khulmeier
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Morse v. Frederick
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"Bong Hits 4 Jesus". These four words caused Joseph Frederick to sue Principal Deborah Morse when the latter had taken down his banner and suspended him. Under the violation of Frederick's First Amendment rights, the two went to court . Once again, students' freedom of speech was limited. Public schools can prevent students from promoting the use of illegal drugs at any school event.
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With these four cases came the differentiation of publications around the country. Student publications are either school-sponsored, where the school officials can censor materials as long as it's not for the reason of "maintaining the school's image" or public forum, where the school allows students to write whatever they want without restrictions. Thanks to our administrators at Carmel High School, HiLite is school-sponsored but operates as a public forum. We are never restricted on what we can write as long as we can justify our decisions; unfortunately, not all Indiana schools enjoy the same privileges. Under Indiana state law, all Indiana public schools are school-sponsored publications; as a result, most reporters are not always able to write what they would like to write. This year, we were very close in allowing Indiana public schools to have some kind of limited public forum but public forum nonetheless. At the last hour, the Indiana legislature pulled back on hearing our proposal. We will not stop fighting for the day when all students can have a voice and not be afraid to let the world hear it.
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Only writing about the good things is not journalism. It's public relations. And we are not public relations.
-Jim Streisel, HiLite Adviser