WebQuest Format designed by Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University


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Student Press Law and Ethics WebQuest

Introduction

Good reporting isn't the only skill necessary to achieve a reputable newspaper. Serious consideration must be given to ethical situations that may arise. In addition, the laws must be well understood and followed at all times. This WebQuest will give you practice tackling tricky ethical dilemmas, as well as make you more familiar with the laws governing the student press.

The Task

You will work with a small team of classmates to complete four activities concerning ethics and laws. Mastering these skills will make you a more experienced and responsible journalist. Your team, simulating the editorial staff of your school newspaper, will be required to complete the following tasks:

  1. solve a series of ethical dilemmas
  2. test your knowledge of the law
  3. study and summarize relevant historic legal decisions as well as current cases that could affect your newspaper
  4. write an editorial policy for your paper's letters-to-the-editor section
  5. assess what you have learned by taking a law and ethics test

Resources

There are a number of on-line resources available for student and professional journalists. There are also several helpful journalism organizations that you can consult for printed resources or support services. Try to become familiar with as many of these sites as possible. Knowing what information is available and referring to these sites in the future will be a great help in solving your newspaper's ethical and legal problems.

In addition, each of the following activities offers their own resources that will help you complete the assigned task. Take advantage of this information.

The Process

Learning Advice

Each activity page offers resources related to the task at hand. Don't skip these helpful sites. Examine and evaluate the usefulness of each, taking notes when necessary. This will help your team complete the activities.

The activities have been assigned to your team for completion, as these types of tasks are often taken on by editorial staffs. This means you will need to exercise good cooperation and communication skills in order to get your work done successfully.

The best ideas for your newspaper will come from other newspapers. Check out as many on-line newspapers from around the country as possible. Never hesitate to share your work and ideas with others.

Conclusion

Responsible journalism is a must for any self-respecting reputable newspaper staff. Completing these activities has given you a greater awareness of your responsibility as a student journalist. It has also given you practice in dealing with peer "staff members" to reach important policy decisions.

Questions to consider:

Prepared by Lisha Cabral jbrightm@ma.ultranet.com January 25, 1997.

Last updated, May 2, 1997.