Policies
Freedom of Expression
Students will exercise their freedom of expression and press freedom as determined by the courts, state law, federal law, and by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The Insight recognizes Section II-22 of the Oklahoma Constitution.
“Every person may freely speak, write, or publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions for libel, the truth of the matter alleged to be libelous may be given in evidence to the jury, and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libelous be true, and was written or published with good motives and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted.”
Responsibility as Student Journalists
Students who work for official school publications determine and are responsible for all content published. Journalists are expected to strive to produce media that is accurate and fair through research, reporting, and verification.
Editorial Board
The Editorial Board shall consist of the advisor, Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor. The Editorial Board is responsible for making all major decisions in regards to both the print and online editions of The Insight.
Prior Review
All articles produced by writers may be subject to prior review by the Principal or other school official. The school reserves the right to halt the publication of any article on whatever grounds necessary. The school or district assumes no liability for the content published.
Ethics
The Insight abides by the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.
Satire
The Insight produced satire content under “The Outsight.” Any stories published under this section are purely satirical and are not meant to be taken seriously.
The Insight recognizes that The First Amendment protects satire as a form of free speech.
The Insight will never publish an article that is libelous against any person. The Insight defines libel as the publication of a false statement of fact that seriously harms someone’s reputation.
District and school administration are not liable for anything published under this section.
Staff Conduct
Reporters are expected to understand that they are always representing the publication, school, and community. Opinions expressing negative views of people or the publication will not be tolerated. The Insight will follow a 3 strike system.
1st Strike – Verbal warning from editors or advisor and parent notification- Reporters will be notified that this is their first strike and will be documented.
2nd Strike – Meet with editor and advisor to establish a behavioral contract and parent contact.
3rd Strike – Reporters will be asked to leave the publication staff. In the event that reporters cannot immediately transfer out of the class, their time will be spent writing research papers.
Strikes will reset at the end of each semester.
What counts as a strike:
-ISI or ISS
-Editor suggestions/inputs not considered
-Principal referral
-Missing any deadline without editor approval.
-Disrespectful comments made about groups of people, organizations, the school, or the community.
-frequent errors in factual reporting and demonstrate a lack of attentiveness.
-Repeated passive-aggressive behaviors.
-Yelling or abusive behavior.
In extreme or severe cases, any of these steps may be skipped and you will be asked to leave the publication.
Copyright/Ownership
All work posted digitally and printed is the original work of the credited writer unless stated otherwise within the article. Any work of a reporter may not be redistributed or reposted unless given approval from the original writer and editor. All art and photography will possess a credit line. Reporters are asked to not sell or redistribute their work during the school year. Photos and stories will not violate any copyright laws. If anyone believes copyright infringement has taken place, they should submit a letter to the editor or contact the advisor directly.
Press Passes
All official Insight reporters will possess a press pass. Press passes are expected to be worn at all times while on assignment. (Along with student IDs during school hours.) Passes may allow reporters to access school events free of charge and special areas including sidelines. Reporters may only use these privileges if they are on official assignment. Abuse of the pass will result in confiscation.
Diversity of Sources
Insight reporters shall use numerous sources when producing content including in-person interviews and virtual interviews, experts, public records, historical records, and other commonly accepted sources.
Reporters shall not rely on less than three sources for information and are expected to conduct at least two in-person interviews in order to preserve the integrity of the publication.
In order to provide a diversity of voices and perspectives, Insight staff are to never interview sources that are within close relation to them such as friends and family or other publications members. The editor reserves the right to make the final decision on the credibility of a source.
Anonymous Sources
Anonymous sources are a last-ditch resort when the individual is the only source of information and all other methods of gathering information have been exhausted. The story must be of compelling interest to the school.
Insight staff should never inform the advisor of the identity of the source due to the advisors’ role of being an employee of the district. Reporters should only consult and identify the source to the editor where they will review the qualifications, authenticity, and any conflicts of interest. In the event a reporter shall refuse to identify an unnamed source upon request from the editor, the story may be allowed to be pulled from publication.
The Insight uses Moe Rivers to protect the identity and privacy of anonymous sources. The pseudonym is generic and does not imply the same individual with repeated use.
Death Policy
In the event of a death of a student, faculty member, or other school or district personnel, The Insight will not report on the death. This decision is to ensure the mental well-being of reporters, staff, students, the community, and family members. Any coverage on death will be handled by the Yukon Public Schools communication and public relations office.
Preferred names & pronouns
By school policy, The Insight may only use preferred names and pronouns if the publication has explicit written permission from a legal parent or guardian. Parents or guardians should email [email protected] to have their students preferred names or pronouns used in official school publications.
Accuracy/Corrections
The Insight strives for accuracy. In the event a factual error occurs within a story, the story will be removed immediately from the online edition until the error is resolved. A clarification or editor note will be published immediately.
Public Records/Meetings
The Insight will follow and recognize Oklahoma Open Meetings Act (Title 25, Oklahoma Statutes §§ 301 et seq.) and Oklahoma Open Records Act (Title 51 Oklahoma Statutes § 24A.1 et seq.) while reporting. Reporters are encouraged to submit open records requests and attend open meetings in the newsgathering process.
Reporters are also encouraged to challenge the legality of open records requests or attendance of meetings being denied that staff believes was open or accessible. The Insight will utilize help from the Student Press Law Center.
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor may be submitted digitally under the About section. Letters to the editor must include the writer’s name. Letters will not be edited unless in the case to prevent legal liability. The Insight maintains the right to publish anything submitted under this section.
Online Takedown
The original writer, editor, and advisor reserve the right to remove content from the online edition. Stories will only be pulled for fact errors or violations of policies. A letter for request of removal can be submitted using the Letter to the Editor/Contact form. Cases will be considered on an individual basis.
Comments
All comments must be approved by the advisor or editor of the publication. Comments must be respectful and professional. The Insight reserves the right to not post any comments.
Advertisements
Advertisements can be bought on the Sno Ads page. Advertisements may not promote the use or purchasing of drugs, alcohol, or sexual content. Advertisements may not possess graphic images, profane language, or anything deemed racist, controversial, or illegal. Political advertising is not permitted to maintain a fair publication. Contact the Editor-in-Chief or Advisor for any questions regarding advertisements.
