About

EHS Media Policy and Procedure Manual 

EHS MEDIA Guide pt 1

EHS MEDIA Guide pt2

 

Mission Statement

The Pirateer staff and adviser are dedicated to creating a collaborative, open forum that cultivates productive dialogue within the School community by publishing exemplary student news media according to the strictest standards of journalistic integrity.

At all times, we seek to find the truth and report it, to report fully, fairly, and accurately, and to abide by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. We have a duty to fairly serve the Englewood High School student body, faculty, staff, and greater community as a whole, evincing in no way any bias or favoritism towards any particular interest, individual, or group. Final content decisions are the responsibility of the editor-in-chief and editorial board, working in conjunction with the adviser.

Freedom of expression

The staff will strive to create a publication that is a public, uncensored forum for the expression of diverse views and discussion of issues that pertain to the community. The Pirateer holds the right to publish anything that is not obscene. In this way, the staff reserves the right to constructively criticize the school community.

Content

The Pirateer is the high school student newspaper and website of Englewood High School in Englewood, Colorado. It is produced as part of the EHS academic curriculum and students’ extracurricular programs. All content decisions are made by the students enrolled in journalism, broadcast journalism, and yearbook classes according to the value system outlined in the editorial policy and mission statement. The Pirateer staff holds all responsibility for the content published in print and online, with final content decisions in the hands of the Editor-in-Chief, working in conjunction with the adviser. The publication is not under prior review, but all costs of operating, maintaining, and producing the newspaper are fully funded by the school through advertising and the EHS Administration.

Purpose of the publication

The purpose of The Pirateer is to serve its readers in the following ways:

• Fair and accurate reporting of news related, but not limited to, the school community.
• Issues-driven coverage that aims to explore ideas, themes, concepts, trends, and recent developments beyond the campus that are relevant to members of the community.
• Engaging and interesting news, features, opinions, culture, and sports content.
• By providing a designated open forum for expression and discussion of ideas relevant to the school community.
• By serving as an advocate for students, student ideas, and student causes.
• By furthering the mission statement of the school through enriching content for the community.

 Pirates, speak your mind!

The editors of the Pirateer newspaper and website would like to invite all (including members of the community) to submit any comments or concerns they may have in the form of Letters to the Editor by the second Friday of each month.

Letters to the Editor may be left in Ms. Shotts’ mailbox in the main office, brought to room 2119, or sent by e-mail to [email protected]. The Pirateer does not accept unsigned letters but may consider withholding names upon request.

Student Editorial Independence & Identification Policy

High School Journalism Programs – Colorado

1. Purpose

This policy affirms the editorial independence of student journalists and establishes guidelines regarding author identification, anonymity, and safety considerations in student media.

1. Legal Foundation

Student journalists in Colorado public schools are protected under Colorado’s Student Free Expression Law (C.R.S. 22-1-120), which grants students the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media.

Under this law:

Editorial decision-making authority rests with student journalists.

Decisions regarding content, tone, viewpoint, and author identification are student decisions.

School officials and advisers may provide guidance, but may not override lawful student editorial decisions.

III. Editorial Authority

Student editors have full authority to determine:

Whether an opinion piece includes a full byline, partial name, pseudonym, or no byline.

Whether content is published as an individual opinion, staff editorial, or unsigned collective statement.

How sources and subjects are identified is consistent with ethical standards.

There is no legal requirement that student opinion writers be identified by full name.

1. Anonymity & Partial Identification

Student editors may choose to publish:

Full names

First names only

Initials

Staff editorials (unsigned)

Anonymous opinion pieces

These decisions are editorial judgments, not legal mandates.

In light of increased national concerns about harassment, doxxing, and intimidation directed at student journalists, particularly those reporting on immigration, race, identity, or political issues, anonymity or partial identification may be used as a protective measure when deemed appropriate by student editors.

1. Ethical Considerations

While Colorado law protects editorial independence, students are encouraged to engage in thoughtful ethical discussions prior to publishing anonymously.

Advisers should facilitate — but not control — conversations that consider:

Are student writers comfortable being publicly identified?

Could identification reasonably expose the writer or their family to harassment, threats, or harm?

Would the impact of the message change if published unsigned or collectively?

Does anonymity affect credibility or accountability in this specific context?

Final decisions remain with student editors.

1. Adviser Role

The journalism adviser:

Serves as an educational guide and ethical resource.

Facilitates discussions about risk, ethics, and journalistic standards.

Does not make final editorial decisions on lawful content.

Supports student decision-making consistent with Colorado law.

VII. Commitment to Safety & Responsibility

The journalism program recognizes both:

The importance of student free expression, and

The responsibility to consider student safety in a changing media climate.

Anonymity is not a default practice but may be a responsible, student-led choice when circumstances warrant.

VIII. Conclusion

Colorado law strongly supports student editorial independence, including decisions about author identification. Student journalists retain the right to publish with full names, partial names, or anonymously, based on their editorial judgment.

 

📰 EHS Media

Anonymity Decision Flowchart

(For Opinion & Sensitive Content)

🔵 START

A student submits content for publication.

⬇

🟣 STEP 1: Is the content lawful under Colorado’s Student Free Expression Law (C.R.S. 22-1-120)?

Not libelous

Not obscene

Not inciting unlawful acts

Not causing substantial disruption

If NO → Do not publish.

If YES → Continue.

⬇

🟢 STEP 2: Is the student requesting anonymity or partial identification?

Full name

First name only

Initials

Staff editorial

Anonymous

If NO → Publish with standard byline.

If YES → Continue.

⬇

🟡 STEP 3: Safety & Risk Assessment

Student editors discuss:

Could identification reasonably expose the writer or their family to harassment or harm?

Does the topic involve immigration status, identity, race, or political expression?

Are there credible concerns about doxxing or threats?

If NO credible safety concern → Consider publishing with name.

If YES credible safety concern → Continue.

⬇

🟠 STEP 4: Ethical Review (SPJ Lens)

Ask:

Would anonymity reduce credibility?

Is the message still strong if unsigned?

Is anonymity necessary to protect from harm?

Can we explain our reasoning if asked?

If anonymity weakens the piece significantly, → Reconsider structure.

If anonymity is justified, → Continue.

⬇

🔴 STEP 5: Editorial Vote

Student editors deliberate.

The adviser facilitates discussion only.

Final decision rests with student editors.

⬇

🟣 STEP 6: Transparency Option

If published anonymously, consider:

Adding an Editor’s Note explaining the decision.

Publishing as a staff editorial.

Using partial identification.

⬇

✅ FINAL OUTCOME

Publish with:

Full identification

Partial identification

Staff editorial

Anonymous byline

Document reasoning internally for accountability.

 

✨ “Voice matters. Safety matters. Students decide.”