SR-1.4

1.4 | Staff Responsibilities
and Ethics

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 LAW PROTECTS

• Song lyrics • Currency
• Literary works • Cartoon characters
• Artwork • Movie characters
• Photographs • TV characters
• Music • Websites
• Videos • Website screen shots
• Maps • Computer software
• Stamps • 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.