Laws & Ethics

In journalistic work, there is always a delicate balance between coverage and privacy. Nonetheless, I adhere to my own ethical standards in every piece I report.

California Ed Code 48907 (a) Pupils of the public schools, including charter schools, shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press including, but not limited to, the use of bulletin boards, the distribution of printed materials or petitions, the wearing of buttons, badges, and other insignia, and the right of expression in official publications, whether or not the publications or other means of expression are supported financially by the school or by use of school facilities, except that expression shall be prohibited which is obscene, libelous, or slanderous. Also prohibited shall be material that so incites pupils 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.

As a public high school publication, we are student journalists with the right to freedom of speech and the press. This means our content is not subject to prior review or censorship by school administration.

We are a financially self-sustaining organization, supported through the sales of yearbooks and advertisements. Our editorial decisions are made independently and are not influenced by administration or finances.

As an ethical publication, each production cycle includes a structured "beat" meeting led by our editorial team, where we review story angles and language to ensure coverage is fair, accurate, and free from bias or inappropriate tone.

While we cover topics such as current events, politics, and student life, our reporting is rooted in fact and informed by student perspectives.

All coverage is produced in accordance with journalistic ethics and state law, ensuring we maintain integrity, legality, and student voice.

Editorial Policies

Our publication has not adhered to a fixed media policy, unlike many others. As the managing editor, I developed an editorial policy that aligns with journalistic standards while also addressing unique aspects specific to our publication, including our approach to bylines.

2026 Change:

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to in prominence, it's evident that it's here to stay. To stay current with these trends, I have revised our policies to incorporate guidelines related to AI.

New AI Policy:

The use of AI to generate original writing is strictly prohibited, as it compromises journalistic ethics by attributing authorship to the writer for content created by artificial intelligence. Similarly, the use of AI-generated images is not permitted, as it raises ethical concerns regarding the authenticity of photographs and blurs the line between photography and illustration.

Acceptable use of AI is limited to supportive tools, such as Grammarly, or using chatbots to revise and improve human-written content.

Ethical Decisions

Covering
Difficult
Topics

The yearbook’s is also a historical record, so we incorporated significant national and local events, such as the 2024 presidential election and the proposed TikTok ban, with a neutral and informative approach. We also had the inclusion of memorial content for the first time, ensuring sensitivity by featuring only photos and family messages, without reporting or factual commentary, to honor those who passed respectfully.

including memorial - first time_edited.j

Use of
Pronouns

Ensured respectful and accurate representation by confirming individuals’ preferred pronouns prior to both verbal and written interviews. This practice was implemented in response to previous concerns about misgendering, emphasizing our commitment to inclusive and considerate communication.

Media

Crediting

I maintained ethical standards of attribution across all media by establishing clear guidelines for crediting photography and visual content, using "Photo by [Name]" for original images and "Photo courtesy of [Source]" for external ones. This upheld transparency and integrity in visual storytelling.

As of 2026, we expanded attribution to include not only mandatory photo credits, but also design and writing, marked by “design by” and “story by.”

Opt-out & Name Changes

At the start of each school year, I review the “opt-out” and “name change” forms submitted during summer registration, which indicate students’ legal privacy and identification preferences. It’s my responsibility to ensure these are honored. Names are updated accurately, and opt-out requests are strictly followed. I cross-reference this information when managing the index and portraits, prioritizing both legal compliance and student confidentiality.

Literacy

We prioritize accuracy and conduct thorough reviews to ensure fair and respectful coverage.

Unbiased Coverage

As a layout editor, I must assess bias in headlines and revise my partner's work. While proofreading pages, I skim the writing and leave comments on the PDF to identify opinions.

Identifying Bias In Headlines

Identifying Bias In Writing

Current Event Coverage

Covering a historical document also means connecting it to events happening today. But with every story, there are multiple perspectives—so we need reliable sources and a focus on what’s most relevant.

Favorite Sources to Use

Primary Sources

Event coordinators or organizers
Official press releases

News Outlets

Associated Press (AP)
NPR (National Public Radio)
BBC News
NBC News
PBS News
The New York Times (reporting, not opinion)
The Washington Post
The Wall Street Journal (news section)

Timely Coverage

Pages/Mini-Stories in the Yearbook (2022-2025)

BeReal
Presidential Election
TikTok Ban
0.5 Photos
Digital Cameras
TikTok Dances
Album Releases
ChatGpt
Olympics
World Cup
Concerts
Movie Releases

Fact Checking

For any factual page, I make the ethical choice to disclose sources to ensure transparency and credibility.

Especially for specialty pages, I make it a priority to mention sources, particularly when a page includes big claims or standout data. For full transparency, I revised these pages to include disclaimers or citations that explain where the information came from.