Your Questions, Answered
I published an article in the school paper about LGBTQ students and kept my source confidential. The school wants me to reveal the name of my source. Do I have to?
I published an article in the school paper about LGBTQ students and kept my source confidential. The school wants me to reveal the name of my source. Do I have to?
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I recorded an interview of my principal for my school paper. She claims she didn't consent to the recording. Can I still publish the article?
I recorded an interview of my principal for my school paper. She claims she didn't consent to the recording. Can I still publish the article?
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Can a principal stop my advertisement for a school play from being published because it is too violent?
Can a principal stop my advertisement for a school play from being published because it is too violent?
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Is it a problem if the school newspaper writes about a new rule, banning certain dancing and clothing at dances and includes a photo of students from a dance before the rule was implemented?
Is it a problem if the school newspaper writes about a new rule, banning certain dancing and clothing at dances and includes a photo of students from a dance before the rule was implemented?
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Can the student newspaper get in trouble for publishing a tweet posted by a student in one of their articles?
Can the student newspaper publish a tweet posted by a student in one of their articles?
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Can my student newspaper use a student’s name when reporting on sensitive topics, such as abuse or depression?
Can my student newspaper use a student’s name when reporting on sensitive topics, such as abuse or depression?
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Can my student organization broadcast a student’s name and photo in one of our productions without that student’s consent?
Can my student organization broadcast a student’s name and photo in one of our productions without that student’s consent?
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Can I get in trouble for publishing student quotes in an article when the student and student’s parents sign a release form, but then the parents object to the use of the quotes?
Can I get in trouble for publishing student quotes in an article when the student and student’s parents sign a release form, but then the parents object to the use of the quotes?
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Can I publish an article for my school newspaper if a student featured in the article says she doesn’t want to be mentioned?
Can I publish an article for my school newspaper if a student featured in the article says she doesn’t want to be mentioned?
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Can we use a popular song as background music for a video that will be played at graduation?
You can likely use popular songs as background music in your graduation video because it is a fair use of the songs and no money is made from using the songs.
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Can I use 30 seconds of a Beyoncé song in the background of my video?
No, even if it’s only 30 seconds, its still likely to infringe Beyoncé’s copyright.
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Can a school suspend students for attacking another student on social media?
A school has the authority to discipline students for off-campus attacks made on social media that disrupt the general student welfare or attack an individual student. Even though the First Amendment protects many kinds of speech, student speech that is considered a true threat or creates a substantial disruption to the school will not be protected.
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