Staff Responsibilities and Ethics
STEP 1 - LEARN Today we will discuss both ethics and laws. View the video Critique and Feedback - the Story of Austin's Butterfly. Discuss how the lesson in the video applies to our teamwork. View the remainder of this presentation and take notes
BEING ETHICAL AND LEGAL A legal action is one that follows rules that have been written down, like not stealing. An ethical action is one that is right but has nothing to do with laws, like communicating honestly and fairly with people.
TEAMWORK Each member of a team serves a vital role. We all need to communicate clearly and kindly with one another. Consistency, in attitude and behavior, is important. Inspiration can come from any member of the group. Openness to new ideas stimulates creativity.
Student journalists have three primary ethical and legal obligations.
1 - FAIRNESS All reporting must be fair and unbiased. The yearbook should not be used as a platform for personal views. Both sides of a story should be told.
2 - ACCURACY All names, quotes and information, including anything submitted by non-staffers, should be checked carefully.
3 GOOD TASTE Thoughtful decisions and high standards will ensure that the yearbook is free of questionable material such as: racist or sexist remarks ethnic slurs crude humor inside jokes or cruel remarks glamorizing of illegal activities
LIBEL A type of speech not protected under the U.S. Constitution. Libel is printed and is: Is false Words or pictures Identifies the person Harms a person s reputation
AT FAULT FOR LIBEL A journalist can be considered at fault for libel if: A private citizen (like a student) Can prove that writer did not verify accuracy of information. A public figure (like a celebrity) Can prove that the writer knew the information was false. Or prove that the writer acted in a reckless disregard for the truth.
AT FAULT FOR LIBEL Both the writer and the editor, even if they are under 18 and minors, are considered responsible and can be sued in a libel case.
Truth is a defense against a charge of libel.
I was making a joke is not a defense.
COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND FAIR USE
COPYRIGHT Intellectual property, art and book covers cannot be used by others. Most images found on the internet are copyrighted. Yearbook staffs must get permission from the owner.
COPYRIGHT DISCUSS: Can the art and text from this book be used as a yearbook cover? Why or why not? Are there parts that can be used? What would make the use legal?
COPYRIGHT LAW PROTECTS Song lyrics Literary works Artwork Photographs Music Videos Maps Stamps Currency Cartoon characters Movie characters TV characters Websites Website screen shots Computer software Corporate logos Games
FAIR USE A person may use someone else s photo, music, artwork or text as long as it is being used for educational purposes. The use of the work must not diminish it in any way The heart of the work may not be used Creator must not lose money as a result of use Fair use does not cover the use of that work in student newspapers or yearbooks. The work can only be used within school walls, like for a report or presentation.
TRADEMARK Titles, phrases and slogans can be trademark protected. This means they cannot be used for commercial purposes by anyone else.
STEP 2 PRACTICE Work individually or in groups to determine how you would handle the situations on Handout 1.4 You be the Judge.
STEP 3 USE Throughout this term, we will be both ethical and legal in all actions regarding this publication.