|
OAK RIDGE, TENN---Students at an eastern Tennessee high school are going to get a firsthand education in the First Amendment and freedom of the press.
Administrators have opened a volatile First Amendment debate with their seizure of all 1,800 copies of the student newspaper, an issue which is sure to evoke spirited discussions in the school's history and English classes.
The papers were ordered seized by principal Becky Erwin because of stories appearing in the newspaper about birth control and tattoos.
The newspaper's advisor, Wanda Grooms, said that school officials entered classrooms, desks and mailboxes at the school to confiscate all 1,800 copies. Officials said the newspaper could be reprinted and circulated if changes are made.
Published reports said that a journalism professor at the University of Tennessee said that "this is an issue about the administration wanting to have control. Either the students are going to have a voice, or you're going to have a PR rag for the administration".
He said the actions by the school were a "terrible lesson in civics". 11-27-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
|
