Student Newspaper Recalled, Released at B-CC

Is it acceptable for a school's principal to recall copies of a public school newspaper?

That's what Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School students, teachers and parents wondered last week, when "some of the roughly 2,000" copies of Tattler, the school's student newspaper, were recalled by Principal Karen Lockard on Friday, March 16, and were not released until Tuesday, March 20, according to Bethesda Magazine.

The story that prompted the recall?

A 70-word sidebar about WUSA Channel 9 reporter Andrea McCarren's recent reports on teen drinking. McCarren reportedly complained to Lockard that the Tattler story could lead to the harassment of her children.

Last month, McCarren, a Chevy Chase resident, had "[taken] herself off the air after she said that her children were harassed personally and online" after her story on teen drinking aired. Another WUSA reporter continued her series on teen drinking, "but McCarren put herself back on the story and aired another report on teen drinking" on Tuesday, March 20, Bethesda Magazine reported.

Tattler Editor-in-Chief Amy Heaton, a Bethesda Magazine intern, "said she was told by Lockard that the recall came after a talk with McCarren," Bethesda Magazine reported.

Heaton's two-part series on alcohol and teens can be read on Tattler Extra, the website for the Tattler.

"Heaton said that she and her editors didn’t understand what they had done wrong by using a photo of McCarren, whom they consider a public figure," Bethesda Magazine reported.

"'This was a valuable experience,' Heaton said. 'I don’t blame the school for what happened. I think they acted rashly, but I understand what they did and I am glad that The Tattler was released,' " Bethesda Magazine quoted Heaton.

"'Certainly principals have a right to exert editorial control over a newspaper if it is part of the curriculum at the school,'" Montgomery County Public Schools Spokesman Dana Tofig said in an email to Bethesda Magazine.

"'But the principals at MCPS—including B-CC—tend to work collaboratively with student papers on the editorial direction and content of each issue,'" he added.

What do you think? Should a public school be allowed to recall its student newspaper?

Editor's note: This post has been updated regarding the number of newspapers that were recalled.