1.4 | Staff Responsibilitiesand 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

• 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.

BEING ETHICAL AND LEGAL

• 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.

TEAMWORK

Student journalists have three primary ethical and legal obligations.

• 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.

1 - FAIRNESS

• All names, quotes and information, including anything submitted by non-staffers, should be checked carefully.

2 - ACCURACY

• 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

3 – GOOD TASTE

• 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

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.

AT FAULT FOR LIBEL

Truth is a defense against a charge of libel.

“I was making a joke” is not a defense.

COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK AND FAIR USE

• 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

COPYRIGHTDISCUSS:•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

• 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.

FAIR USE

• Titles, phrases and slogans can be trademark protected.

• This means they cannot be used for commercial purposes by anyone else.

TRADEMARK

STEP 2 – PRACTICE• Work individually or with a partner 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.