2024-25 Editorial Policy
Mission statement
The Central Times is a student-produced publication which strives to use multimedia to provide Naperville Central High School students, parents and faculty alike with community information, entertainment and an open forum for student expression, all while continuing to practice a tradition of journalistic excellence.
Ethical Obligations
The Central Times adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, and endeavors to publish factual information for the public benefit. All Central Times staff members are expected to distinguish fact from opinion in their reporting and offer fair opportunities for all relevant sides of an issue to be explored.
Legal Obligations
The Central Times observes the Illinois Speech Rights of Student Journalists Act of 2016, which gives student journalists free speech rights and editorial control over content. Student journalists at Naperville Central are educated to understand that they, not school officials, bear the burden of responsibility for their content choices. Furthermore, Central Times journalists acknowledge the limits to their free speech rights, which do not protect them from libelous, slanderous or obscene content, invasions of privacy, expression that violates federal or state law or content that incites students to commit an unlawful act or “materially and substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school.”
The Central Times also observes the Naperville Community Unit School District 203 Board of Education policies 7:315 Rights and Responsibilities of Student Publications; High Schools and 7:316 School Publications, which reaffirm legal and ethical expectations for student journalists and school administrators.
Treatment and rights of sources
For this section, a “source” refers to any person representing themselves or a group of people who provides information relevant to a report.
Central Times reporters may not use other Central Times staff members as quoted sources in published content unless there is no better alternative.
Central Times reporters are also under no obligation to provide questions to sources prior to an interview.
All sources reserve the right to to speak with Central Times staff members off the record, meaning their identity and quotes will not be published. If a source wishes to remain anonymous, meaning their quotes will be published but their identity is not, the staff reporter must first communicate with an editor or adviser about the source’s request for anonymity.
The Central Times reserves the right to publish the identity and quotes of any sources who agree to speak to staff reporters on the record, as well as the right to protect the identity of all anonymous sources. Furthermore, the Central Times strives to verify, contextualize and/or correct any outdated, misleading or inaccurate information provided by a source.
Any speech in a public forum without a reasonable expectation of privacy can be used as quotable material by a Central Times reporter. Any interviewee who consents to an on-the-record interview with a Central Times reporter allows for their language to be used as quotable material.
Editorial Style
The Central Times’ editing is guided by the Associated Press style guide.
Corrections policy
Upon noticing any inaccurate information, the editorial board will publish corrections as soon as possible regarding the inaccurate claims. Readers reserve the right to call attention to printed errors and are encouraged to highlight errors via digital communication. Any updates to the content of digital stories will be noted at the bottom of the article. While reporting on breaking news and/or live events, the Central Times will strive to provide the most accurate information, but may update content to reflect real time changes.
Usage of language
The Central Times does not publish language in print or online, including in comments, social media or video, that is are obscene as determined by the Miller Test, which ascertains that the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct or excretory functions specifically defined by applicable state law; or the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
Additionally, the Central Times reserves the right to not publish or to modify content that contains swear words or language deemed by an average person to be profane. Modification may include replacing letters of the word with hyphens (-) while still maintaining contextual meaning. The Central Times strives whenever possible to publish content with language that is appropriate for all ages. Should potentially offensive language be deemed newsworthy, the Central Times may choose to accompany such content with a disclaimer.
Staff editorials and individual commentary
For all controversial topics, the Central Times will strive to objectively cover the facts related to a particular issue and may express any staff opinion appropriate to the situation in a staff editorial, which represents the opinion of the entirety or majority of the staff.
The editorial board develops the editorial through open discussion. Typically one or two writers will write the editorial mirroring the consensus of staff.
Columns and opinion or commentary writing represent only the opinion of the author, not of the Central Times. The Central Times does not withhold publication of opinions or commentary writing unless they violate legal statute or journalistic ethics.
The Central Times will label all opinions, columns, reviews, editorials and other commentary clearly.
Community Contributions
The Central Times accepts writing, photos, artwork or other media from all Central students. Any person who submits content for publication in Central Times consents to let editors edit their content for journalistic integrity and style, and for their work to be published in Central Times print issues, on the Central Times website and/or on Central Times social media pages.
The Central Times reserves the right to not publish stories, photos or artwork submitted.
Letters to the editor
The Central Times accepts letters to the editor from all readers. Each letter to the editor must include a signature and phone number or email address when submitted. Letters submitted electronically via our website must include a valid name and email address. Letters can also be emailed to [email protected]. Writers may request anonymity but must attend a conference with the adviser, Keith Carlson, and the current Editor-in-Chief. If it is deemed necessary to keep an author’s name out of print, the name will not be released in any form. The Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit letters for concise language, grammar and length. The Editor-in-Chief may decide which letters to publish in our monthly print edition based on space available and scope of readership affected.
Advertisement policy
Those interested in advertising and donating can contact a student business manager, managing editor, Editor-in-Chief or faculty adviser. Ad prices vary depending on the size of the ad space. All advertisers must sign a contract. The Central Times will not publish advertisements promoting products illegal to minors.
Social Media policy
The Central Times manages public social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter), which feature original posts as well as summaries of content in print or online. Central Times social media accounts will only follow accounts relevant to our reporting. All content posted on Central Times social media follows the same legal, ethical and style standards of all other content.
Comment policy
All response comments posted by readers will be displayed so long as a name and email are provided and those comments are relevant to the topic discussed and advance civil discourse. The moderator strives to preserve the voice of the comment author, but Central Times reserves the right to withhold comments that include explicit threats to others. Comments that constitute obscenity, are potentially libelous or incite students or the public to break the law will also be withheld. Solicitations of any kind will not be posted. All comments are approved by a moderator before being made public.
Obituary policy
If a current student or staff member passes away, Central Times will publish an obituary unless extenuating circumstances prevent publication. The Central Times may cover news associated with the death if deemed appropriate by the staff.
Artificial Intelligence policy
Artificial intelligence will not be used to manufacture images, copy and sources. Any content modified, shaped or significantly assisted by AI will include a clear disclosure. AI-assisted content will always be reviewed and approved by members of Central Times staff.
(This policy was created with the help of artificial intelligence)
Role of the adviser
Faculty advisers are school staff members who support, educate and offer guidance to the staff on reporting, style and journalistic ethics. Because Central Times is an open forum and student-run publication, faculty advisers do not have the right to make official editorial decisions, including what content is or isn’t published and what positions staff members assume in the Central Times.
Website takedown policy
Content published on centraltimes.org serves as historical documentation and should be preserved to the greatest possible extent. The Central Times will only take content down from the website if said content constitutes a severe violation of journalistic ethics and/or legal precedent or creates demonstrable potential for substantial harm that cannot be ameliorated by any other action, including corrections, updates, or anonymity. The Central Times reserves the right to accept or deny any request from an individual to take down content.
Requests for takedown should be presented to the Central Times Editorial Board in writing. Requests may be emailed to [email protected]. The Editorial Board will then discuss the request and collectively decide on an appropriate course of action.
Editorial policy revision process
All revisions of the editorial policy must be made with the unanimous consent of the editorial board. It is mandatory for the editorial board to review and update this editorial policy at the beginning of each school year.
Additional information
All students interested in working with the Central Times may attend Monday afternoon meetings from 3:20 to 4:00 in Room 218, or contact a faculty advisor or editorial board member.
The Central Times is a member of the Illinois State High School Press Association, Northern Illinois High School Press Association (NISPA), Quill and Scroll, National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Kettle-Moraine Press Association (KEMPA) and Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA).
For additional details and policies specific to this publication’s use of social media, video, print and online editions, email us at [email protected].
