Statement of Responsibility:
The Whetstone is a student-run newspaper. It strives to provide a quality publication for the Wesley community and to serve as a co-curricular activity for students interested in gaining practical experience in print media and desktop publishing. As a student newspaper, The Whetstone's content is centered on campus issues, and local, state, national, or international issues as they relate to the College. It is the duty of the newspaper to report, interpret, and comment of those ideas and events that are of consequence and/or interest to the readers.
As a recognized student organization of the College, The Whetstone is responsible for operating in a manner which supports and reflects the mission of Wesley College.
Policies:
Editorials: The Editorial Board reviews and interprets the newspaper's policies and discusses editorial ideas. Editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Board. Columns appearing on the Opinion page are not necessarily the opinions of members of the Editorial Board.
Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor are welcomed and encouraged. Letters must contain the writer's name and phone number for clarification purposes, although the writer may request to withhold his/her name. The phone number will not be printed. Letter are edited for grammar, spelling, punctuation, accuracy, libel, and length. Please note: Even though Letters to the Editor are not written by The Whetstone, once they are published, they become the responsibility of the newspaper, carrying with it the full range of liability.
Disclaimer: Each issue of The Whetstone must contain a disclaimer located on the Opinion page which explicitly states that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board or of the College.
Alcohol Advertising Policy: Wesley College prohibits the distribution, publication, posting, or announcement of advertisements on its campus which promote the sale or consumption of beverage alcohol or which promote businesses whose principle enterprise is the sale of beverage alcohol (i.e. liquor stores, cocktail lounges, bars, nightclubs, and taverns.) Layout and content of all advertising submitted for publication is subject to the approval of the Editorial Board. The Whetstone reserves the right to revise or reject any advertisements it deems objectionable. Advertisements designed for clients by The Whetstone advertising designers are the property of the newspaper. Advertisements unpaid within 30 days are subject to an additional $5.00 charge per month.
Code of Ethics:
Responsibilty: The main objective of the mass media is to enlighten the public of events of public importance. Journalists must not use their status for selfish and/or personal motives. This would be a violation of a high trust.
Freedom of the Press: Although independent colleges have been granted much latitude in regulating student press, Wesley College elects to provide The Whetstone with the freedom and discretion to organize its staff, design the newspaper, report the news, and express opinions, within the guidelines of this manual and College policies. This is a privilege given to encourage learning, individual growth, and the free exchange of ideas.
Ethics: Journalists must be free of obligation to any interest other than the public's right to know the truth. Plagiarism is dishonest and unacceptable. Additionally, journalists have the responsibilty to become familiar with all major points of a story, particularly those stories which call into question the actions or motives of others. Stories must be reported from a neutral and balanced viewpoint.
Accuracy and Objectivity: Truth is the ultimate goal. Good faith with the public is the foundation of all worthy journalism.
Fair Play: Journalists at all times will show respect for the dignity, privacy, rights, and well-being of people encountered in the course of gathering and presenting the news.
Student Press Law:
Student writers are legally responsible for what they print. In legal situations, there are no distinctions between college and professional journalists. Both are fully accountable for what they do in their jobs.
Libel: Libel is published defamation, which is defined as a generally false communication that damages someone's reputation. Slander is oral defamation. Specifically, these are the elements of libel:
Copyrighted Material: Permission must be sought before publishing registered material. The news cannot be copyrighted. A copyright on a news story only protects the wording and ordering of phrases. One important exception to the copyright law permits the "fair use" of copyrighted work for purposes such as news reporting, educational uses, editorial criticism or comment, scholarship, and research.
This section is not a comprehensive legal guide. It is provided to alert student journalists to their rights and responsibilities. The Whetstone has several resources for legal advice, including the Student Press Law Center in Washington, D.C.