Law, Ethics & News Literacy
Student Press Conferences
Over the past two years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to attend the JEA/NSPA Journalism Conferences in both Boston and Philadelphia, where I focused on sessions related to law and ethics. As a student in a private school, the freedom of the press operates differently, which presents its own set of challenges. These conferences have provided valuable insights on how to navigate those barriers by understanding my rights as a student journalist and finding ways to assert more freedom in reporting. For example, I attended sessions like “The Law of the Student Press” and “Obtaining Press Freedom in Private Schools,” which inspired many of the goals and resources we use in our newsroom. One key takeaway was the importance of advocating for more editorials to ensure that student voices are heard, without being influenced by what the administration may prefer.
Imua's Mission
Another key takeaway from the journalism conferences was incorporating the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics into Imua’s mission and media guidelines. We’ve decided to focus on four key aspects of journalism: building relationships within our school while minimizing harm, seeking the truth and reporting it, acting independently, and being accountable and transparent. These principles guide our work in Imua, ensuring that we uphold ethical standards while fostering trust and credibility within our community. A central focus of our journalism this year has been the importance of choosing our words carefully and ensuring that we fact-check even the simplest details. We aim to avoid sensationalizing or exaggerating information, as accuracy and integrity are essential in our reporting. This is something we’ve been actively working on in the newsroom, ensuring that our coverage reflects an honest and balanced portrayal of the people and events we write about.
Archival Representation
We also recognize our responsibility to not only report on current events but to preserve history for future generations. This year, in celebration of Volume 100, we've worked closely with the Archives, attending workshops on how to engage with archival material and critically evaluate its representation. This initiative encourages us to approach our storytelling with a broader perspective, ensuring that the articles we produce reflect the full range of experiences and voices within our community. Not only have I advocated for utilizing the Archives as a resource for articles, but I’ve also ensured that we thoroughly analyze and accurately report the information, whether it involves verifying the class year of a former writer or carefully reading entire articles to ensure we understand the context. As I review each article, I make sure that we’re portraying the complete picture and upholding ethical responsibility in our work.