CSMA Adviser Update

You are likely aware that the state legislature is back in session (with the State of the State address later this morning). You and your students should pay attention to an amendment to our 1990 state law that Rep. Barbara McLachlan is sponsoring. There may be other co-sponsors and we will try to keep everyone in the loop, as it were, as this bill makes its way through the legislative process.

CSMA has been working with Rep. McLachlan on this amendment and will continue to do so as any final changes are announced.

We hope this amendment will move quickly, so it is possible that committee hearings will be soon, with relatively little lead time. If you have comments you would be willing to make about the importance of the added Section 9, particularly, please contact Advocacy Coordinator Sergio Yanes at Sergio.Yanes@jeffco.k12.co.us soon.

It is an amendment, not a new bill, with two major aims: 1) to modernize language that describes the various media platforms students use; and 2) to add common sense protections for advisers of student media who are simply supporting the guaranteed rights of their students.

The applicable language proposed in the draft of the bill (as of this past November):

From Section 1:

The general assembly declares that students of the public schools shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press, and no expression contained in a student publication, WHETHER PRINTED, BROADCAST, OR ONLINE, AND whether or not such publication is school-sponsored, IS subject to prior restraint except for the types of expression described in subsection (3) of this section. AN ADVISOR MAY ENCOURAGE EXPRESSION consistent with high standards of English and journalism.

Added Section 9:

A PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEE MUST NOT BE DISMISSED, SUSPENDED, DISCIPLINED, REASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE RETALIATED AGAINST SOLELY FOR ACTING TO PROTECT A STUDENT ENGAGED IN THE CONDUCT AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION OR FOR REFUSING TO INFRINGE UPON CONDUCT THAT IS PROTECTED BY THIS SECTION OR THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

All entries will be through our online contest site at www.betterbnc.com

The earlier you check to see that the media you advise have been properly added to our contest database, the better. Just contact jpkjournalism@gmail.com if you run into problems.

The Colorado Broadcasters Association is excited to announce the 2019 Call for Entries for the Awards of Excellence. There are several new items to note this year, including…

1. Updated online entry system.
2. New “Radio Podcast” Category.
   
3. New Small Market Television Category.
   
4. Longer TV "Best Regularly Scheduled Newscast" Time Limit.
   
5. Entry prices are the same as last year.
   

Click to view the 2019 Call for Entries.

Due to speaker conflicts, among other issues, the Jan. 25 winter professional development conference will not take place, and we apologize to those who were looking forward to discussing best practices in covering student mental health issues.

Plans are being developed to create some useful teaching materials and resources in this important issue for you and your students.

Colorado Student Media Association memberships are by school medium, and we offer four options: print news, yearbook, online, and video media. A single membership is $65. We offer a convenient online membership form, and you can choose either to pay with a school credit card or ask to be invoiced.

Spring is busy for everyone, with lots of scholarship opportunities, individual contests, and much more. Watch for your weekly e-newsletter for details and be sure to check our website for the latest information.

Email: jpkjournalism@gmail.com
Website: colostudentmedia.com
Location: 9253 Sori Lane, Highlands Ranch CO
Phone: 303-550-4755
Facebook: facebook.com/coloradostudentmedia
Twitter: @ColoradoSMA