[ Golden Gater Online - February 20, 1997 ]
When a government tries to control its press by censoring publications before they are printed, it is called "prior restraint." It is one of the most threatening controls to a free press and a free society.
When a high school principal threatens journalism students with suspensions because he doesn't like what they are writing, it is business as usual.
Although a 1988 Supreme Court ruling states full-fledged freedom of the press does not necessarily apply to high school publications, a recent incident at Mission High in San Francisco raises many questions about freedom of speech in public institutions, students' rights and most importantly, the rights and responsibilities of the student press.
When student journalists at the school's "West Wing" newspaper were digging into a story about the possible misuse of funds by the sports department, Principal Ted Alfaro confronted the journalism staff telling them to print more positive news.
Using the power of his position, Alfaro allegedly threatened the students with suspensions if they continued to print articles that criticize his administration. He then insisted on seeing proofs of the newspaper before its going to print, but was denied by the journalism teacher, Katharine Swan.
Although the "West Wing" is funded by the school and its reporters are not paid for their work, they are indeed practicing journalism.
Just because they are underage does not mean they should be subject to censorship or to the strong-arm tactics of an authority figure who doesn't understand the importance of a free press.
Principal Alfaro and others like him need to go back to the social studies or history classes in their schools to learn about the constitution and the histories of dictators like Josef Stalin, Francisco Franco and Augosto Pinochet.
If students learn by example, then the students at Mission High are learning that brutish power always wins.
Should it come as a surprise to the administrators when the students show contempt to their authority or drop out of school?
If the purpose of the high schools is to teach students about what it means to live in a free society, then teachers and principals need to be good examples of those ideals.
Now that gang violence and drugs have become inextricably attached to the image of teen-aged culture, administrators act more like police than instructors. Following that example makes the often talked about peaceful exchange of ideas a pipe dream.
The powers that be in high schools tend to overlook the fact that students are well aware of what goes on around them. Student journalists not only have the opportunity, but they also have the responsibility to investigate any misdeeds.
While the 1988 Hazlewood School District vs. Kuhlmeier ruling stated "a school need not tolerate student speech that is inconsistent with its basic educational mission," Mission High's spending more than $1,000 of a tight budget on ten pairs of Air Jordans for the basketball team can hardly be called consistent.
By reporting the possible overspending, the reporters were acting in the school's best interest.
The students at Mission High should be commended -- not threatened -- for taking their responsibility to report the truth seriously. Unfortunately for them, the truth is there's something wrong in the system.
[ Golden Gater - February 20, 1997 ]