The Antioch College Record Editorial Policy
Approved by the RAB 3/5/07 Approved by ComCil 3/8/07

Purpose
(1) This statement of the editorial policy of the Record is intended to
provide a clear organizational code of ethics for use by members of the
Record editorial staff and others contributing to the Record, and for the
information of the Antioch College community and other readers. The goal
of this statement is that adherence to this editorial policy will prevent
the Record staff from entering into situations in which the public's trust
in and reliance on the Record as a fair and balanced source of news and
analysis might be jeopardized. More broadly, this document is intended to
recognize that the freedom of expression that is the foundation of a free
and vigorous student media and essential to the effectiveness of
educational and other communities should be understood both in terms of
privileges and responsibilities.

Mission Statement
(2) The Record strives to provide accurate, reliable and complete
information to the Antioch College community, to serve as a forum for the
ideas and opinions within the Antioch community, and to serve as a medium
for community culture and expression. The Record also strives to provide
its student workers with practical education in journalism, the dynamics
of community communication, and the management, operations and finances
of a community media organization. The primary and sustaining purpose of
the Record is described in its mission statement, as follows:
• To serve the information needs of the community in a continuous fashion;
• To provide all members of the community with access to their newspaper;
•To serve as a reliable instrument for recording the College's history;
and,
•To serve as an instrument for education in civic and journalistic
responsibility.

Policy
(3) The Antioch Record is a newspaper published at Antioch College. It is
managed by student editors selected by the Record Advisory Board (see
Articles 8 and 9), and by student writers, commentators and photographers
selected by the editors. Occasionally the Record staff will include
students enrolled in a journalism course or an independent study course.

(4) In keeping with its mission, the Record, its student staff members,
and the Record Advisory Board acknowledge that the freedom of expression
that is the foundation of a free and vigorous student media and essential
to the effectiveness of educational and other communities also implies the
obligation of the Record to contribute to and practice ethical and
responsible journalism. In practical application this means maintaining
a firm commitment to accuracy, fairness, balance, and honesty in its
content and honest, ethical, fair, and constructive treatment of
individuals and groups in its practice.

(5) The Record recognizes that through the kind of free exchange of ideas
fostered both by the mission of the Record and by the liberal arts context
of Antioch College, disagreement and conflict between different college
constituencies will sometimes be inevitable. The Record is committed to
negotiating that conflict with care, balance, and constructive integrity
with a focus on public and community-based issues. Student editors, with
the Record Advisory Board are responsible for entering into discussion
with any interested constituencies regarding the operation of the Record
or its content.

(6) While First Amendment rights to free speech do not prohibit Antioch
College as a private institution from regulating the content of the
Record, Antioch College expressly acknowledges that the Record is not
subject to editorial control by the college. It is free from any external
interference by the college designed to regulate its content or
distribution, including confiscation of its products, suspension of
publication, academic personal or budgetary sanctions, arbitrary removal
of staff members or faculty, or threats to the existence of student
publication outlets. The opinions expressed in the Record do not
necessarily and are not intended to represent those of Antioch College,
its staff, faculty, general student body, or alumni.

(7) The power of the Record is vested primarily in the Editor(s). The
Editor(s) select a staff of students capable of producing a quality
newspaper, organize them and oversee the work on the newspaper. Ultimate
responsibility for the publication lies with the Editor(s). No one other
than the Editor(s) and staff may see the newspaper before distribution.
No one other than the Editor(s) and staff may prohibit publication or
distribution of the newspaper or any portion of it whether it be in paper
form or online.

Record Advisory Board
(8) The Record Advisory Board serves as a resource and support system for
the Editor(s). RAB selects the Record's Editor(s), shapes policy for the
newspaper, hears and addresses major complaints about the publication, and
advises the Editor(s) and staff of the Record. For more details, see
Section 11 of the Legislative Code of Antioch College.

(9) It is the responsibility of RAB to make Record Editor(s) and staff
aware when their journalistic practice is in violation of the Record
Editorial policy. When necessary RAB has the prerogative to intervene to
remove the editor(s) in consultation with ComCil. RAB shall strive to
demonstrate a firm dedication to accuracy, fairness, balance and honesty.