Student journalist profile: Kendrick Calfee, Editor in Chief of The Northwest Missourian 

 

Student journalism has kept schools and communities connected and informed through the pandemic, proving itself more vital than ever as a community resource. SPLC is speaking with student editors around the country about their love for journalism, our changing times, and how censorship connects to all of it.

Kendrick Calfee is the Editor in Chief of the Northwest Missourian. He's studying Multimedia Journalism at Northwest Missouri State University and expects to graduate in 2022.

"Student journalists across the world have proven their capabilities to tell stories that would otherwise go untold – and that is journalism at its finest," Calfee said. "Student publications often serve as the face of the First Amendment on campus, protecting students’ freedoms of speech and right to know."

His Q&A

Student Press Freedom Day is coming! Save the date: February 24, 2022.

More details soon, but for now, we’re looking for an intern to help the planning team!

The Student Press Freeedom Day intern will work directly with our core planning team to offer insights and best thinking to the campaign as we engage in the planning process. They will support us in reaching out to partners, campus communities, and the media; drafting campaign communications and outreach materials; creating forms and training materials for events and tracking event RSVP’s; reaching out to those who’ve signed up with reminders and follow-ups; and matching journalism advisers and participants in our training modules.

The intern will work remotely and we'll pay $15 per hour (10 hours each week).
Learn more and apply

Q: Is my publication responsible for libelous quotes from third parties or libelous statements contributors make, such as in guest columns?

A:
 In print or broadcast media, yes. If you publish it, you are taking ownership of it, regardless of whether someone on your staff or an outsider makes the statement. This includes quotes, letters to the editor, opinion pieces written by guest writers, even advertisements. 

On the other hand, in an online publication, the Communications Decency Act should shield you and your website from comments by outsiders posted on your stories or message boards. Be careful, though: the law allows you to voluntarily screen for profane or libelous comments, but if you start rewriting the comments to improve upon them, you may become responsible as a co-creator. 

More answers

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