Law and Ethics Notes

1st Amendment rights: Freedom of speech, assembly/protest, religion, press, and petition. These rights are not unlimited.



Public VS. Private schools: Because they are government agencies, public schools are limited by the first amendmet in their ability to censor. Private schools do not apply to that rule.



4 Major supreme court cases.



1969 Tinker VS. Des Moines Independent Community School District: "Neither students nor teachers shed thier constitutional rights to freedom of expression or speech at the schoolhouse gate" This improves freedom of speech in schools. Tinker Standard: Unlawful and physically disruptive speech is now specified as being banned in schools. Tinker wins.



1986 Bethel School District VS. Fraser: Inappropriate speech for class president. "The school can censor student speech even if it does not cause a material or substantial disruption"


Hazelwood East spectrum.

school sponsored speech... has a curricular purpose with a faculty advisor, so it was overruled because it was reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.

1. biased or prejudiced

2. unsuitable for immature audiences

3. ungrammatical

Morse vs. Frederick (June 25, 2007)

Janurary 2002. olympic torch travels through town. principal cancels school. senior frederick unveils banner that says "bong hits for jesus". suspended for 10 days... supreme court ruled that it was a school authorized event

be careful to make veiled threats when on student web sites

if you publish something on a website it may be used against you in the court of law.


Libel and Slander


libel- publication of false imformation that seriously endangers someones reputation.

accusing someone of unlawful things

sexual misconduct

associated with "loathsome diseases"

lying

academic problems

racial/religious bigotry

financial instability

as a reporter:

use trustworthy sources, take accurate notes, use a lot of documents, report -dont "sell'', talk to all sides, be open-minded, be rigorous in your choice of language, dont publish a story that you don't think is true.

slander - saying something that is false that damages their reputation.