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How Students can cover this story
10 tips on covering the "The Future of the First Amendment" study
Sure, the study was two years in the making and the detailed report is more than 90 pages in length.
But it is possible for your school newspaper to do a complete story on the report, "The Future of the First Amendment," and research findings by the University of Connecticut , done in conjunction with the sponsoring John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The study, the largest of its kind, takes a deep look the state of the First Amendment in our high schools, the status of student media and related issues. It shows that America 's high schools are leaving the First Amendment behind.
Here are some suggestions on how to cover the story of the research findings
1. Focus on the big picture
The survey's key finding: More than 75 percent of the more-than-100,000 students surveyed say they either do not know how they feel about their rights to free speech or they take them for granted.
2. Review the other key findings
The report details 12 major findings. They are at the front of the report and packaged prominently on this web site - www.firstamendementfuture.org/finding/finding.php
3. Mention the methodology
Both the report and the web site contain details on how the study was conducted. It is important to include a little on methodology, how the study was conducted.
4. Draw from the press release
Both the report and the web site include a succinct press release on the study and its findings. Draw from that as needed.
5. Tell your readers about the First Amendment
A story on the report should include a mention of the five freedoms included in the First Amendment. They are freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. You also might want to mention that the First Amendment is also the first entry in the nation's Bill of Rights, crafted by our Founding Fathers.
6. Look at the specialty areas in the report
The survey was administered to teachers and principals, as well as to students. The report and web site break out the questions and answers by group.
7. Look for variations in the responses
You'll find that responses to questions often varied by group. These variations will make good talking points in your story. For instance, 58 percent of students surveyed said that students should be allowed to report on controversial issues without the approval of school authorities. Thirty-nine percent of teachers surveyed agreed with students, but only 25 percent of principals said students should be allowed free rein in covering controversial topics.
8. Conduct your own study and compare the findings
On this web site is a section called "Downloads." There, you can find PDF copies of the blank surveys. Administer them at your school, then compare the results with the national samples.
9. Download and use our special editorial cartoon.
Every high school in America is welcome to download a special editorial cartoon on the study, conceived and drawn by Walt Handelsman, the Pulitzer-Prize-winning editorial cartoonist of Newsday. See the "Downloads" section.
10. Contacts these experts and consult these books and web sites
Experts:
• Gene Policinski, executive director of the First Amendment Center - policinskig@fac.org and (615)727-1600
• Warren Watson, director of J-Ideas - wwatson@bsu.edu and (765) 285-8211.
• Mark Goodman, executive director of the Student Press Law Center - director@splc.org and (703) 807-1904
Other contacts are listed in the "Resources" section of this web site.
Books:
• "The Starting Point: Young Journalists and the Law," a publication of the Student Press Law Center .
• "The First Amendment in Schools," a guide from the First Amendment Center .
• "Principal's Guide to Scholastic Journalism," published by the Quill and Scroll Foundation.
Web sites:
• Student Press Law Center - www.splc.org
• ASNE high school program - www.highschooljournalism.org
• First Amendment Center - www.fac.org
• J-Ideas - www.jideas.org
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| J-IDEAS is funded in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation's High School Initiative and Ball State University. |
J-IDEAS Department ofJournalism Ball State University, Muncie, Ind. 47306 (765) 285-8923 Terms of Service |
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