About

The Oakwood Media Program is a school-sponsored, student-run organization serving Oakwood High School and the broader community. Comprised of students in film, broadcasting, yearbook, and newspaper courses, the program operates under professional and ethical standards, guided by First Amendment protections and Society of Professional Journalists. It functions as a limited purpose public forum in accordance with Board Policy 5722; therefore, students are responsible for published content.

Publications are committed to quality and trustworthiness in the process of producing media for students, by students. Creators aim to educate, inform, document school life, entertain, and support school spirit, while reflecting student interests rather than being driven by the perspectives of faculty, administrators, or the school board. The program includes two publications: The Acorn (yearbook), The Ax Media (daily announcements, video and online news).

The creator of each product is identified with a byline, and that person is responsible for the content within that piece unless otherwise stated. Images or video contributed to the piece are credited clearly with permission. Editors give feedback to publish a final product according to a list of standards to ensure that each piece meets professional standards. We encourage letters to the editor from students, staff, and community members. However, letters must be signed, under 300 words, and may be edited or rejected for length, privacy, attribution issues, obscenity, or libel. Concerns beyond letters require an appointment with editors and advisers. Broadcast and online publications print corrections for factual errors; yearbooks issue apologies due to reprint limitations.

Students are trained to report accurately, responsibly, and objectively while maintaining integrity. Staff should follow Society of Professional Journalists guidelines.

Students are responsible for accuracy. All content is reviewed for fairness, obscenity, and potential libel. Publications may move forward with stories at deadline but should provide follow-ups when needed as long as it is noted that the story is developing. Surveys should be transparent and representative. Rumors are not acceptable sources; quotes and facts must be able to be verified by at least one additional source. Serious reporting failures may result in discipline, with opportunities to request review.

Interview protocols vary: print reporters must review statements with interviewees and keep audio recording; broadcast reporters confirm audio, video, and spelling. Non–face-to-face interview methods must be identified. If a source is unreachable, reporters must document attempts and may note the source was unavailable. Prior review is not practice; only quotes may be verified before publication. Advice columns must be team-based, factual, school-appropriate, and non-anonymous.

Obscenity is prohibited; profanity may be used only when essential and handled responsibly. 

Anonymous sources are discouraged but allowed with adviser approval. 

Joke pieces are prohibited.

All students are required to recuse themselves from reporting on stories for which they have conflicts of interest. Our editorial practices are separate from our advertising practices. Ad revenue does not influence content, and advertising is labeled as so.

Advertising provides revenue. Ads may be solicited or requested, and all components must be submitted by deadline. Staff may revise or reject ads; prohibited content includes alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Ad layout is determined by staff, and payment policies, cancellations, corrections, and liability expectations are clearly defined.

You can contact us at [email protected]