The editors of the Wilson High School newspaper, the Beacon, won’t have to submit their articles to their principal for review before publication anymore under a tentative agreement between the publication and school administrators. Wilson Principal Kimberly Martin and the Beacon’s faculty advisers met Monday to talk down Martin from her policy of prior review, which Beacon staffers saw as a layer of censorship.
“Principal Martin is in the process of reconsidering her prior review policy,” a statement from the Beacon reads.
But just because Martin won’t be playing editor anymore doesn’t mean she’s not divorcing herself entirely from the Beacon‘s production process. While prior review is apparently off the table, Martin’s trade-off is that people interviewed by the Beacon will be allowed to approve their quotes before articles go to press. “The editors are revisiting their editorial policies to instate a clearly outlined chain of responsibilities and verify quotes in all future articles,” the newspaper’s statement continues.
The Beacon‘s staff clearly see Martin’s dropping her demand for prior review as a victory, and the “clearly outlined chain of responsibilities” that Martin wants is easy to grant. Beacon co-editor Erin Doherty says Martin simply wants a written statement of the paper’s editorial workflow stating that content is seen by section editors, top editors, and faculty advisers before it is published.
Martin’s demand for quote approval, though, opens a path for the Beacon‘s subjects to clean up their on-the-record statements, a condition at which most reporters and editors would blanch. But Doherty says ther’s an easy-enough workaround. “We’ll try to encourage every reporter to record their conversations,” she tells Washingtonian.
Public opinion was overwhelmingly with the Beacon, which has been published since 1935, almost entirely without interference from school administrators. While the paper’s relationship with Wilson’s principal—undoubtedly one of its most covered subjects—is frayed, Doherty does not believe it has become completely antagonistic.
“If she trusts us and knows we publish quality articles I believe she’ll be willing to work with us and let us report on her,” Doherty says. “Maybe not super-soon.”
Wilson High School Principal Drops Demand to Review Student Newspaper Articles
But now she wants quote approval.
The editors of the Wilson High School newspaper, the Beacon, won’t have to submit their articles to their principal for review before publication anymore under a tentative agreement between the publication and school administrators. Wilson Principal Kimberly Martin and the Beacon’s faculty advisers met Monday to talk down Martin from her policy of prior review, which Beacon staffers saw as a layer of censorship.
“Principal Martin is in the process of reconsidering her prior review policy,” a statement from the Beacon reads.
But just because Martin won’t be playing editor anymore doesn’t mean she’s not divorcing herself entirely from the Beacon‘s production process. While prior review is apparently off the table, Martin’s trade-off is that people interviewed by the Beacon will be allowed to approve their quotes before articles go to press. “The editors are revisiting their editorial policies to instate a clearly outlined chain of responsibilities and verify quotes in all future articles,” the newspaper’s statement continues.
The Beacon‘s staff clearly see Martin’s dropping her demand for prior review as a victory, and the “clearly outlined chain of responsibilities” that Martin wants is easy to grant. Beacon co-editor Erin Doherty says Martin simply wants a written statement of the paper’s editorial workflow stating that content is seen by section editors, top editors, and faculty advisers before it is published.
Martin’s demand for quote approval, though, opens a path for the Beacon‘s subjects to clean up their on-the-record statements, a condition at which most reporters and editors would blanch. But Doherty says ther’s an easy-enough workaround. “We’ll try to encourage every reporter to record their conversations,” she tells Washingtonian.
Public opinion was overwhelmingly with the Beacon, which has been published since 1935, almost entirely without interference from school administrators. While the paper’s relationship with Wilson’s principal—undoubtedly one of its most covered subjects—is frayed, Doherty does not believe it has become completely antagonistic.
“If she trusts us and knows we publish quality articles I believe she’ll be willing to work with us and let us report on her,” Doherty says. “Maybe not super-soon.”
Most Popular in News & Politics
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Meet DC’s 2025 Tech Titans
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères
The “MAGA Former Dancer” Named to a Top Job at the Kennedy Center Inherits a Troubled Program
Trump Travels One Block From White House, Declares DC Crime-Free; Barron Trump Moves to Town; and GOP Begins Siege of Home Rule
Washingtonian Magazine
September Issue: Style Setters
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
These Confusing Bands Aren’t Actually From DC
Fiona Apple Wrote a Song About This Maryland Court-Watching Effort
The Confusing Dispute Over the Future of the Anacostia Playhouse
More from News & Politics
Administration Steps Up War on Comedians, Car Exhibition on the Mall Canceled After Tragedy, and Ted Leonsis Wants to Buy D.C. United
What Happens After We Die? These UVA Researchers Are Investigating It.
Why a Lost DC Novel Is Getting New Attention
Bondi Irks Conservatives With Plan to Limit “Hate Speech,” DC Council Returns to Office, and Chipotle Wants Some Money Back
GOP Candidate Quits Virginia Race After Losing Federal Contracting Job, Trump Plans Crackdown on Left Following Kirk’s Death, and Theatre Week Starts Thursday
5 Things to Know About “Severance” Star Tramell Tillman
See a Spotted Lanternfly? Here’s What to Do.
Patel Dined at Rao’s After Kirk Shooting, Nonviolent Offenses Led to Most Arrests During Trump’s DC Crackdown, and You Should Try These Gougères