Network Guidelines

Anything goes. Almost.

The Youth Citizen-Journalist Network invites ... WE ENCOURAGE ... teens to send us their opinions, essays, articles, blogs, photos and videos.

The themes of this content are the issues that affect their lives today and their future as American citizens. Coverage of political campaigns and politicians is a vital part of YCJN content.

That's why this website is titled "Informed Democracy 101."

We have only two rules:

1. Only content that includes correspondent's name (byline), age or year in school and how others may respond to his or her content will be published. E-mail addresses and/or Twitter and other social-network account names are required. This will encourage others to contribute to YCJN with their opinions that may be the same as or different from those expressed by YCJN correspondents. We value all opinions from teens and strive to limit network space only to correspondents who are 19 years old or younger.

2. We WON'T publish on the Network any content that is obscene, libelous, disruptive of schools or other public or private institutions, or in any way invades the privacy or personal lives of private individuals. The content of YCJN will follow the ethical guidelines ... Codes of Ethics ... set forth by professional journalism organizations such as the American Society of News Editors, the Radio-Television Digital News Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

We encourage vigorous reporting about the public lives and careers of politicians and other local, state and national officials and celebrities. That includes anybody who has been the subject of news articles or has been quoted in the print and broadcast media.

That is FAIR GAME and is not considered an invasion of their privacy as long as the content centers on information the public should know about in order to assure they are receiving truthful and open information that affects the general welfare of the community, state and nation.

That is democracy in action.

Please see the "procedures" page of this website for instructions on how to send content to YCJN.

These guidelines are subject to change as deemed necessary by the management of the Youth Citizen-Journalist Network.

The opinions expressed by the youth correspondents on these pages are not necessarily those of the management of the Youth Citizen-Journalist Network or those who support YCJN. Youth correspondents are encouraged to freely express their opinions and must abide by the guidelines posted on this Web site. Professional editors will monitor all submissions to assure they follow recognized journalistic standards and ethical codes before appearing on this Web site.