Editorial Policy

The Harbinger is Shawnee Mission East High School’s student-run newspaper publication and includes both a print and online presence. With a goal to educate and entertain, The Harbinger staff produces content that includes pieces of writing, design, photography, videography, podcasts, broadcast, social media storytelling and multimedia.  

The Harbinger staff is expected to follow the NSPA Code of Ethics and the core values will be discussed at the beginning of each school semester.

Published editorials express the views of the Harbinger staff. Signed columns published in the Harbinger express the writer’s personal opinion. The content and opinions of the Harbinger do not represent the student body, faculty, administration or Shawnee Mission School District. Content other than editorials, columns, review pieces or personal opinions are written to inform the general public and should remain unbiased. 

The Harbinger will not share any unpublished content, but quoted material may be confirmed with the sources. Staff members are expected to ask the interviewee if they are comfortable being recorded. They will also keep recordings of interviews to ensure accuracy. If any piece of research is used within a story, staff members are expected to accurately cite and credit the source. 

Controversial issues will be determined as such and discussed by editors before publishing. Sensitivity training will occur yearly. Outside of opinion pieces, all sides of political issues will be covered in order to ensure an unbiased presence. 

The Harbinger will not publish material that is unnecessarily unwarranted or an invasion of privacy, and this will be determined by the editors. The Harbinger will not print any derogatory terms or symbols. 

No obscene or invasive comments will be allowed on the website or social media page and our editors hold the right to delete such comments. 

Any concerns or questions about the media may be submitted to The Harbinger’s email, smeharbinger@gmail.com. The editors reserve the right to determine whether a piece of content needs to be altered or taken down from the website. Published content will remain published unless the editors deem the reason for retraction impacts a person’s livelihood and they can provide proof of such. 

The Harbinger encourages letters to the editors, but reserves the right to reject them for reasons including but not limited to lack of space, multiple letters of the same topic and personal attacks contained in the letter. The Harbinger will not edit content though letters may be edited for clarity, length or mechanics. Letters should be sent to room 413B or emailed to smeharbinger@gmail.com.