Tennessee high school newspaper seized
Sparking a First Amendment debate, a high school newpaper was seized by administrators only to be released when some revisions are made to objectionable content about birth control and tattoo.
How “free” is free speech?
OAK RIDGE, Tennessee (AP)—Copies of a high school’s student newspaper were seized by administrators because the edition contained stories about birth control and tattoos, stirring a First Amendment debate.Administrators at Oak Ridge High School went into teachers’ classrooms, desks and mailboxes to retrieve all 1,800 copies of the newspaper Tuesday, said teacher Wanda Grooms, who advises the staff, and Brittany Thomas, the student editor.
The Oak Leaf’s birth control article listed success rates for different methods and said contraceptives were available from doctors and the local health department. Superintendent Tom Bailey said the article needed to be edited so it would be acceptable for the entire school.
The edition also contained a photo of an unidentified student’s tattoo, and the student had not told her parents about the tattoo, said Superintendent Tom Bailey.
“I have a problem with the idea of putting something in the paper that makes us a part of hiding something from the parents,” he said.
The paper can be reprinted if the changes are made, he said.
Source: CNN.com © 2005 Cable News Network
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