Your rights as a student journalist
Whether student journalists are entitled to the same rights as professional journalists is a question that has featured in numerous court cases and high-profile stories as of late. Here are some things to be aware of:
First Amendment rights:
- The Student Press Law Center is a great resource for learning about your first amendment rights and includes a form where you can seek general legal advice (though, of course, you should consult a lawyer familiar with your situation for specifics)
Shield laws:
- Certain states have “shield laws” that protect “reporter’s privilege,” i.e., journalists’ right to not have to name confidential sources. The extent of protection and the semantics of which situations qualify for protection up for courts’ discretion.
- Even if your state does have a shield law, be aware that its reach may be diluted by your standing as a student journalist and may also vary depending on whether you go to a private or public school. Click here for a table of states with shield laws, but consult with your newspaper adviser or a lawyer to better understand how protected you (and your sources) are by the law.
FOIA and other public records request laws
- Under the Freedom of Information Act, all citizens are able to access the federal government’s public records by filing a request. Though it extends only to federal records, all states have some version of a records request law.
- SPLC has a records request letter generator here
- For more information about FOIA requests and for a database of agencies, visit iFOIA
Your responsibilities as a journalist
With great knowledge comes great responsibility, and as a student journalist, you should be aware of your standard of ethics. This is especially important to keep in mind because investigative work can often cross over into thornier or more sensitive territory. Read over the Society of Professional Journalists’ general Code of Ethics for more.
[are there any investigative journalism-specific ethics/conduct/methods manuals or guidelines?]