BCA. Editorial and Advertising Student Publicati

1. The Plainsman Press, founded in 1958, is the South Plains College newspaper, prepared primarily for the student body but directed also to the college administration, faculty, staff, the Board of Regents, alumni, and the area community.

2. The Plainsman Press, published as a part of the journalism program at South Plains College, has a three-fold responsibility and purpose. As a laboratory project written and edited primarily by journalism students, the paper is the tool which (a) teaches students how to perform professionally on a public newspaper, (b) prepares students to enter a four-year college journalism program at the junior college level, (c) serves its readers by acting as a public forum for student expression an(d) by performing as an(d) example of professional journalistic endeavor.

3. The faculty advisor to the Plainsman Press is responsible for its contents. All student staff of the Plainsman Press are answerable to the faculty advisor.

4. The college, in vesting responsibility for the Plainsman Press in a faculty advisor and the production of the newspaper to journalism students, has every right to expect the Plainsman Press to:

A. advance and protect the good name, worthy goals, and best interests of the college;
B. report fairly, accurately, and in balance the happenings, issues, and controversies at South Plains College
C. comment constructively and fairly in editorials and interpretive stories that are based unfailingly on careful investigations of the facts, and
D. shun, in all instances, violations of the journalists Code of Ethics and materials mounting personal attacks or tending to incite religious, racial, class or political prejudices.

5. On its part, and in the continuing interests of maintaining a realistic journalism laboratory, the Plainsman Press expects, within the guidelines above, to reflect and to report SPC life as it actually is. The Plainsman Press reserves the right to criticize, to question and to evaluate, and assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of all criticism. Constructive criticism, thoughtfully prepared and respectfully presented, is basic to freedom of the college press.

6. Staff editorials are not signed because they usually reflect the opinion of the student editors. Those opinions will not always be shared by the adviser or college administrators.

7. Moreover, the columns of the Plainsman Press will always be open to "rebuttals," expressions of opinion, and comments by its readers.

8. The Plainsman Press reserves the right to edit such letters to the editor without changing the meaning intended by the author. Such contributions must be signed by their authors, must be in good taste, and must remain in possession of the Plainsman Press. Names will not be withheld from any letter. Letters from newspaper staff members are discouraged.

9. The Plainsman Press is distributed to several campus locations. Customarily, complimentary copies are also made available to the administration, faculty, regents, and advertisers.

10. Reporters are expected to report only facts. False statements made by the persons interviewed should not be used unless there is a compelling reason for doing so in quoted matter privileged under Texas libel law. Writers must not give false impressions by withholding part of the facts or by coloring stories with biased emphasis. Copy editors are expected to test stories for these faults. Use of tape recorders is encouraged. Notes and tapes of any controversial story must be filed for reference.

11. When an erroneous statement is found in the Plainsman Press, a correction should be printed in the next issue. If publication of such erroneous statement has damaged the name or interests of any person or persons, the Plainsman Press should publish an apology as well as correction.

12. Student writers and editors should show their stories to persons who have been interviewed only if the story is of a very technical or complex nature, and if time permits. Otherwise, sources should have no access to stories prior to printing.

13. Reporters must always identify themselves as Plainsman Press staff members prior to soliciting quotes/information from a source. Quotes should not be printed without prior knowledge of the person quoted.

14. Whenever possible reporters should collect facts from primary, not secondary, sources. The source of all information carried in the Plainsman Press should be stated or definitely implied.

15. Rumor is not generally news; certainly gossip should never be mistaken for news.

16. Suppression of news to protect self-interest is indefensible.

17. Space limitations and other considerations prohibit the publication in the Plainsman Press of announcements of weddings or engagements.

18. The Plainsman Press staff members, particularly editors, are expected to put responsibility to the paper above the interest of any other organization.

19. The Plainsman Press editorial and news content will not be affected or influenced by advertisers or any other special-interest groups on or off campus.

20. The Plainsman Press reserves the right to reject advertising, which promotes illegal activities, is potentially libelous, reflects poor taste, or which may be considered false advertising as determined by the editorial staff. In addition, the Plainsman Press will not accept classified advertising.

21. Requested positions for ad placement will be given when possible, but are not guaranteed.

22. The Plainsman Press is not responsible for errors in copy beyond the actual value of the space occupied by such errors.

23. Students who sell advertising will receive a 25 percent commission on each ad they sell upon payment for the ad.