Ethics Policy
We follow the NSPA’s Code of Ethics for High School Journalists, which includes seven key points:
1) Be responsible.
2) Be fair.
3) Be honest.
4) Be accurate.
5) Be independent.
6) Minimize harm.
7) Be accountable.
The above list and more information can be found here.
Legal advisory
Student journalists on Verde will publish only legally protected speech, following the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and invasion of privacy. Consistent with California Education Code section 48907, the staff also will refrain from publishing material (including submissions from the community) which so incite students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of unlawful acts on school premises or the violation of lawful school regulations, or the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.
Responsibility for content
As per California Ed Code 48907, the student staff of the magazine is entirely responsible for its content; therefore, the content may not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Palo Alto High School or Palo alto Unified School District faculty, administrators, or the Board of Education. Because school officials are not responsible for the content of the publication, Verde will not be reviewed, restrained or withheld by school officials prior to distribution. Because the staff will control the content of the publication, it will therefore also take financial and legal responsibility for what is published in its print and online form. Consistent with Ed Code, 48907, the Verde editors-in-chief are not obliged to print or post an individual staff member’s or community member’s submissions. The editors-in-chief — working in consultation with the whole staff and the adviser — will determine the content of the all unsigned editorials. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinions of individual authors.
Copyright
Copyright permission for student work to be published in the magazine and online is inherent in the relationship between Verde and its staff members. Likewise, permission is assumed for those non-staff members who submit material for publication.
Requests to Change or Remove Content
Verde prides itself on following the above code of ethics with fair and accurate reporting. Therefore, once a story is published, our general policy is to not change or remove any content (including quotes, names and information) due to requests from outside sources. However, we evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis and attempt to correct any errors in reporting. Content will only change if it is found to be false, libelous or dangerous. If a story is altered, we will make it clear to the readers what edits were made.
To contact the editors, please email [email protected] or send mail to 50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
Advertising and financial support
The staff pays all printing and production costs through advertising sales, subscriptions and other fundraisers. Verde will consider publishing all advertisements with signed contracts providing they do no advocate illegal activity for minors and are not deemed by the Editorial Board as racist, sexist, in poor taste and/or otherwise inappropriate for the magazine’s audience. Verde reserves the right to refuse any advertising the editors-in-chief deem inappropriate for the magazine’s readership. Acceptance of an ad for publication does not constitute an endorsement by the staff, adviser, administration, nor the Palo Alto Unified School District. The Verde business managers may be reached at (650) 329-3837 or [email protected]
Updated August 30, 2018