A written editorial policy for the TC Campus News was drafted Wednesday by Dean of Students Bill Hughes, Publications Advisor Joy Arnold and newspaper editor Cylla Rodgers to be submitted to the Publications Committee.
The proposed policy, which covers editorials and letters to the editor, is the same one used in the past. However, in the past the policy has been verbal instead of written.
The written policy will be submitted to the Publications Committee for study, recommendations, and final approval.
The proposed editorial policy contains seven points:
- No profanity will be allowed in any editorial.
- All editorials must be accurate and truthful insofar as it can be determined by the editorial staff.
- No libelous statements will be printed in an editorial.
- There is no restriction for subject matter in editorials.
- Editorials must be kept in good taste and must follow the guidelines and principles of good journalism.
- The editorial staff will be composed of the editor, associate editor, and assistant editor.
- The obligation to follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior commensurate with the aspiration implied by a college education.
The proposed policy for the “Letters to the Editor” column allows for more freedom of expression than the editorial policy. It includes five points:
- No profanity will be allowed in any letter.
- All letters must be based on truth.
- No libelous statements will be printed in any letter.
- All letters must be signed. If the student wishes, his name may be “withheld by request” when the letter is printed. However, a signed copy of all letters must be on file in the Publication office.
- Sentiments or opinions expressed in any Letter to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial staff, the publications sponsor, or Texarkana College.
In the past, editorial policies have been left up to the staff. A written policy will give the present staff and the future staffs solid guidelines, said Hughes.