If my principal could see me now she might wonder why she gave me the journalism department. I’ve learned plenty in the past few days and I’ve realized how little I know about journalism. This morning’s talk on opinion pieces hit me. The speaker had my total attention, but I have allowed my students to break so many of his rules or recommendations that I know I have lacked the ability to control opinion writing in my school. I won’t go into details, but I remain guilty of some serious violations of expressing the school spirit in print. I allowed opinions in the paper that the principal immediately cut. In a private Catholic school opinions must fit the image of the school, much like the Libertarian opinions must express Libertarian values. In my case my students must express Marist values. The paper is basically an advertisement for the school, so any opinions, however well-written and well-documented, are scrutinized by the administration. I’m drifting from my idea. This morning’s talk on opinion writing inspired me to pay more attention to what I write and what my students write.
Mark Salvatore
Saint Joseph Academy
Brownsville, Texas
Posts
I follow your train of thought here, Mark. I could see how a school's paper is an extension and reflection of the school. However, at what point does that take away the independent views of the individuals who make up the staff of the paper? Regardless if the views of the administration are counter to the editorial staff, there should be some mutual respect and dialogue. I don't know. Maybe I'm spoiled by my left-coast background, but it is my hope that a school paper inspires and empowers the young people who contribute to it to have a voice. I suppose one thing you could take back from this experience is to spend more time having conversations with your students about what is ethical, responsible and possible in their role as journalists.
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