Ethics Guide

RedEye will include coverage that reflects the whole, diverse student body. We will not discriminate based on gender, sexual identity, race, religion, disability or Manual magnet.

Profanity: Profane language may be included on the site only if it is in a relevant, newsworthy quote that is essential to the story.

Hate/insensitive speech: When covering a newsworthy event or story involving racist, hateful, or otherwise discriminating remarks by someone, we must not further their platform in our coverage. If there is video or audio of the speech, it is not to be posted on RedEye. Do not directly quote the person in the story. If the video or audio is good quality, then it can be posted on a staff member’s personal YouTube account, then linked to in a RedEye article. Look here for an example of hate speech coverage on RedEye.

Deceased student/staff policy: Death by suicide: RedEye will abide by the guidelines outlined here. We must include the suggested sidebars from this site and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline phone number. By any other means: First, get written permission from the family to even cover the story. If they allow, get a picture or use a yearbook picture in an article. Don’t tweet about it until the story is published and you can link to it. Always be sensitive, respectful, and remember to minimize harm (which trumps the other three SPJ code of ethics guidelines). An article can include cause of death (if known), basic information (age, magnet, subject taught, etc), funeral location/date/time/etc, and any other information the family may want to add (like an organization to donate to or some place to send condolences). Any coverage must be approved by the adviser and the deceased’s family before published.