5.4.4 CONTENT OF THE LASSO

REGARDING PROFANITY

The Lasso will not print unnecessary profanity. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit quotes for unnecessary profanity and will note changes using brackets around supplemented information.

REGARDING STUDENT WRITING

The Lasso accepts submitted writing from all GMHS students. Any work submitted by students who are not a member of The Lasso staff must be verified for accuracy prior to publication, printing, or dissemination.

REGARDING EDITORIALS, LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, AND COMMENTS

All editorials published are bylined as: “Editorial Staff.” The Lasso will not publish any material for which there is evidence that the author is using the paper for inappropriate personal gain. The Lasso strives to provide a chance for comment on all sides of a critical issue. The views stated in editorials represent that of a majority of the Editorial Board. Signed columns or reviews represent only the opinion of the author.

Letters to editor will be printed in the reviews and commentary section of The Lasso. They will be specified as “Letter to the Editor,” and the author’s name will be noted. Guidelines to write letters to the editor are explained here:

1. Letters to the editor may be submitted to the Adviser or emailed to [email protected] .
2. Letters to editor should not exceed 300 words, must be signed and must include writer’s address and phone number for verification.
3. Letters to the editor will be verified by a member of the Editorial Board to determine the authenticity of the writer.
4. No material will be printed where content is obscene, invasive of others’ privacy, encouraging physical disruption of school activities, and/or implies libel.
5. The Editorial Board reserves the right to withhold a letter or column or other submission, and request its revision, if it contains unprotected speech or grammatical errors that could hamper its meaning.
6. All letters to the editor become the property of The Lasso upon receipt.
7. Comments made on The Lasso must include a name and valid email address which is verifiable.
8. Comments made on The Lasso will be checked by the Editorial Board or the Adviser before being published.

• Online comments that are found in violation of the editorial policy will not be published.

REGARDING NEWS AND FEATURES

The Lasso will emphasize and specialize in informing their readers of school news and unique stories of the George Mason High School community. The Lasso will only cover community, state, national, and international news when it is relevant to the school community. The Lasso will strive to provide coverage of all school organizations and functions.

REGARDING DEATHS

Any current student, staff member, faculty member or building administrator who dies during the year will be recognized on The Lasso. Factual information (date of birth, date of death, survivors, organizations, hobbies, interests) will be published in a 300-word obituary, including one photograph, if possible. The Lasso will work to obtain permission from the deceased person’s family before publishing any information regarding the cause of death. If permission is not granted, the Editorial Board reserves the final say in publication of cause of death. Suicide will not be listed as a cause of death.

REGARDING ILLUSTRATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND GRAPHICS

All photographs must be captioned and bylined with care will be taken to avoid or re-shoot photos with inappropriate attire or actions. All artwork, including editorial cartoons, cartoons, etc., represent the interpretations of the artist, not necessarily of The Lasso staff.

REGARDING ERRORS

Concerns about errors in The Lasso may be submitted though the Editor(s)-in-Chief at [email protected] . The Editorial Board retains the right to determine whether, in fact, an error has been made. Errors that are brought to the attention of The Lasso will be addressed in a timely fashion. If changes are made to a story after it has been published, the change will be noted.

REGARDING ADVERTISING

Advertising is not necessarily endorsed by The Lasso or their staff members, Editorial Board or Adviser, or George Mason High School. Advertising revenues and fundraising are to be used to pay for The Lasso supplies and professional development for the staff.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media will be used to promote The Lasso, to promote published content and to engage the GMHS community. The Editorial Board reserves the right to remove comments that violate any provisions outlined by this policy. Audience engagement through social media should be done in a professional manner.

QUERIES

Questions or complaints concerning material published on The Lasso should be made in writing to the Editor(s)-in-Chief at [email protected] .

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION

The Lasso is a member of state and national scholastic journalism organizations and will work to be in contact with professional media, as well as other individuals and companies in the communications and journalism fields.