The BlackhawK serves as both a medium for the discussion of issues important to students and as an open forum for the expression of student opinions. Content is determined by the staff. All articles reflect the opinion of the writer and not necessarily the opinion of Central High School faculty, administration or student body.
Students are protected in exercising free speech by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Iowa Code 280.22. Accordingly, school officials are responsible for insuring freedom of expression and will not be subject for prior review.
Each issue will contain an unsigned editorial. It will be related to a major news or feature story. The editorial will be written or chosen by an editor-in-chief. It will reflect the opinions, concerns, problems and deliberations of the BlackhawK staff.
Central High School students and staff, in addition to members' experiences or opinions guest commentaries may be submitted on any subject. Letters to the editor are encouraged. They must be signed and no more than 200 words in length. Letters to the editor shall not be constructed as an endorsement by the staff.
News coverage will be based on time frames in relation to deadline, impact on school and level of recognition. News stories must be objective and truthful. Stories lacking truth, facts and objectivity will not be published. News stories must represent all sides of an issue.
The BlackhawK will not publish profanities or ethnic slurs. The BlackhawK will not publish any stories that are demeaning toward any administration, teachers or students. No artwork or photos will be published that contain explicit or offensive material.
The BlackhawK will not print the name of any minor in crime-related or reputation damaging instances without prior written permission from both the said minor and parents or legal guardians there-of. All teachers and administrators are public figures within the school and their names can be printed in crime-related or reputation damaging situations, pending the decision of the editorial board. The BlackhawK will not publish stories that contain the unofficial charges affecting reputation of moral character without giving the accused a chance to reply.
Should a student or employee die at any time of coverage, the staff will treat the death in a timely, respectful manner. All deaths will be given equal treatment.
This policy is applicable to both the prints and online versions of the BlackhawK.
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