# WAC 132F-121-040: WAC 132F-121-040. Journalistic freedom and responsibility

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_040

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 132F-121-040
- **Heading:** WAC 132F-121-040. Journalistic freedom and responsibility
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 132F / Chapter 132F-121 / Section 132F-121-040

## Text

(1) A primary purpose of student publications is to promote free and responsible discussion of campus and community issues.
(2) Each campus president shall establish a board of publications composed of representatives of students, faculty, and staff. This board shall serve as the publisher of all student publications and shall have general authority over them.
(3) The board of publications may adopt, subject to modification by the campus president, such journalistic, editorial, and advertising guidelines as it deems appropriate to govern student publications. Unless specifically stated by the board and approved by the campus president otherwise, these guidelines shall be deemed to include all applicable federal and state laws, all district rules, policies and procedures, and relevant codes of journalistic, editorial and advertising ethics and practices as adopted by national trade and professional organizations, including but not limited to the Statement of Principles as adopted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
(4) Student newspapers shall be free of censorship. However, student newspapers and other student publications shall follow the board's guidelines as described above. Student editors shall be free to develop their own editorial policies within these guidelines.
(5) Staff members of student newspapers shall not be subject to arbitrary discipline or dismissal because of student, faculty, administrative or community disapproval of editorial policy or content.
(6) Good cause for discipline or dismissal of a student publication staff member shall include, but not be limited to, violation of the board's guidelines. Any discipline or dismissal of a student staff member shall be subject to review under the student complaint procedure.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 132F-121-005 WAC 132F-121-005. Statement of values](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_005.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-010 WAC 132F-121-010. Definitions and general provisions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_010.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-020 WAC 132F-121-020. Student rights, freedoms, and responsibilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_020.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-030 WAC 132F-121-030. Student organizations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_030.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-035 WAC 132F-121-035. Hazing prohibited — Sanctions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_035.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-040 WAC 132F-121-040. Journalistic freedom and responsibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_040.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-050 WAC 132F-121-050. Student use of the district/college name](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_050.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-060 WAC 132F-121-060. Student grievances generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_060.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-070 WAC 132F-121-070. Informal processing of student grievances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_070.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-080 WAC 132F-121-080. Formal processing of grievances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_080.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-090 WAC 132F-121-090. Additional provisions for grade grievances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_090.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-100 WAC 132F-121-100. Student conduct generally](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_100.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-110 WAC 132F-121-110. Student misconduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_110.md)
- [WAC 132F-121-120 WAC 132F-121-120. Instructor sanctions for course work dishonesty or classroom misconduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_120.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_132F_121_040. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.