Content Decisions
Content Decisions
Student journalists at The Tower are trained to follow the core principles of journalism: accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, and accountability. All editorial decisions — including article assignments, story selection, headlines, and publication timing — are made by student editors.
The editorial board meets regularly to discuss content ideas, review drafts, and determine whether stories meet The Tower’s standards for accuracy, clarity, relevance, and fairness. While the faculty adviser provides support, coaching, and guidance throughout the process, final content decisions rest with the student editorial board.
Editors make careful, informed decisions about covering sensitive or controversial topics. We reserve our rights to free speech according to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Not all content and opinions are representative of the entire Bishop’s school community, including staff and faculty. If a situation arises that involves legal implications or potential significant risk to individuals or the school, the editorial board and adviser may consult with legal or administrative experts to ensure responsible publication. The editorial board thoroughly discusses our decisions regarding how to handle sensitive topics carefully in our publication. We take covering such content very seriously.
Quote Review Policy
Quote review, while typically not a standard policy at professional publications or a legal obligation, is a privilege The Tower chooses to extend to administrators, faculty, and staff of The Bishop’s School after initial interviews out of respect and courtesy, and in an effort to get the story right.
It is a form of prior review, not prior restraint, meaning that a source cannot rescind quotes given on the record, and any attempts to alter the record will not delay publication.
Sources will have the opportunity to review their quotes and The Tower will carefully consider any requested edits that increase clarity and accuracy. We ask that sources respond to the quote verification email within 48 hours if they would like their suggestions to be considered before publication.”
The Tower models their quote review policies after professional journalism organizations and publications, such as the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) and Journalism Education Association (JEA)
Requests to take down content
Once stories are published, we do not unpublish or take down content from our site unless there is an extraordinary circumstance. We have already taken immense care to report ethically, intentionally, and carefully about all of our articles’ content. We take great care to ensure that all content meets our standards of accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, and accountability.
Emails requesting content removal or edits are reviewed by the editorial board and sometimes the entire Tower staff; requests and our respective path of action are discussed thoroughly. We generally do not issue reprints of our physical print copies unless there is an extraordinary circumstance, and unedited articles within already printed issues are generally not confiscated or restrained. When we make edits to any article on the website, we make clear to the reader what was changed and why through a correction footnote at the end of the article.
Role of Faculty Advisor
The Tower is a student-run publication with a faculty advisor to oversee our work and provide guidance. Student journalists at The Tower are trained to follow the core principles of journalism: accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, and accountability. All editorial decisions — including article assignments, story selection, headlines, and publication timing — are made by student editors.
