The Tufts Daily Constitution I. Preamble In accordance with the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, we believe that all members of the Tufts community should have the right to exercise freedom of speech and expression. It is the responsibility of the Tufts community to guarantee this freedom to all, regardless of gender, age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, sexual orientation, or political belief. The Tufts Daily editors and staff members may report and editorialize about controversial, crucial or otherwise newsworthy events in the university community, the nation, and the world. At the same time, The Tufts Daily must observe the same legal responsibilities imposed upon other news mediums. Thus The Tufts Daily must preserve its autonomy. Journalistic standards mandate that student editors and writers present news and opinion in a responsible manner: accurately and fairly. The Tufts Daily is a recognized, non-profit student organization at Tufts University. The Tufts Daily is entirely student-run, and there are no paid editorial positions. The Tufts Daily receives no financial support from Tufts University beyond rent-free office space. Authority and discretion over editorial and business policies and practices rest solely with the student staff of The Tufts Daily, and, likewise, the staff is solely responsible for the said practices. While The Tufts Daily seeks to maintain a degree of segregation and autonomy between its Editorial and Business operations, it recognizes the need for some overlap in authority and privileges and allows for such provisions within this document. Published and distributed free of charge almost every class day of the academic year, the Daily provides: - a source of news for the entire Tufts community - a forum of expression and the exchange of ideas - an historical record of events - a means to cover and critique events, shows, and entertainment in the area - a means by which students can gain experience in leadership, journalism, business, graphic arts, newspaper layout, desktop publishing, and other mediarelated skills. Amendments to this document may be made by a two-thirds vote of a majority of the editorial staff. II. Composition of Staff A. The Tufts Daily is an entirely student-run newspaper with a primary responsibility to the Tufts community. Secondarily, it provides practical newspaper experience for Tufts students interested in journalism. The Daily’s Editorial Board has the sole responsibility for ensuring that both these functions are performed. B. Any elected editor or manager, as well as all approved editorial assistants, whose name appears on the masthead of The Tufts Daily is considered a member of the editorial board. For the purpose of this document, this body will henceforth collectively be referred to as the Editorial Board.