Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Policy on Public Statements and Resolutions
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
The mission of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) is to promote the highest possible standards for journalism and mass communication education, to cultivate the widest possible range of communication research, to encourage implementation of a multi-cultural society in the classroom and curriculum, and to defend and maintain freedom of communication in an effort to achieve better professional practice and a better informed public. In alignment with that mission, AEJMC is sometimes asked to deliver statements on issues related to communication research, communication education, and freedom of communication in advocacy for the scholars, students, and media professionals it supports.
This document provides transparency on AEJMC’s guidelines and processes for the issuance of position statements and resolutions.
Guidelines
AEJMC distinguishes two types of statements: position statements and resolutions. A position statement is a formal document or declaration summarizing an organization’s stance or opinion in relation to a particular issue, policy, or argument.
A resolution is an actionable proposal passed by an organization that imposes specific actions or policy changes. Resolutions are issued annually following approval by a membership vote aligned with AEJMC’s annual conference. Resolutions go beyond just articulating a problem or concern. Every resolution should end with at least one or two action steps that the membership is calling on others to take or that will be taken within our organization.
Within AEJMC, requests for both position statements and resolutions may be initiated by individual members or groups of members of the organization. Requests initiating from nonmembers of AEJMC will not be considered. Responses to requests for position statements are evaluated by the Professional Freedom & Responsibility Committee (PF&R) and the Board of Directors. The review of position statements typically adheres to a one-month timeline. Resolution requests are reviewed by the Professional Freedom & Responsibility Committee and the Board of Directors, then presented to AEJMC membership for discussion and vote.
Process for Position Statement Requests
The following questions are addressed in assessing whether AEJMC should respond to requests for position statements. All questions must be answered in the affirmative.
- Is the issue directly related to the mission of AEJMC (i.e. journalism and mass communication education, communication research, freedom of communication, implementation of a multi-cultural society within curriculum)?
- Is AEJMC optimally suited to address the particular issue?
- Does the issue present an opportunity to educate the public about journalism and mass communication?
- Does the issue involve significant harm to the ethical principles of journalism and mass communication?
- Would AEJMC members expect the organization to be involved in the issue?
The following process applies to all individual members or groups of members who wish to request AEJMC position statements.
- Individual members will e-mail a formal one-page request to the AEJMC Executive Director.
- The one-page request must include the following:
- A brief summary of the issue to which AEJMC will respond
- Rationale for how the requested position statement meets the criteria provided
- Disclosure of any conflicts of interest related to the issue
- The AEJMC Executive Director will review the request for adherence to the proposal guidelines, passing complete requests on to the Professional Freedom & Responsibility Committee.
- PF&R will vote on whether the request meets the criteria and merits further consideration by the Board of Directors. Proposals are approved by a majority vote of the committee.
- If the proposal receives a majority vote, PF&R will draft a position statement and send it to the Board of Directors for review. The Board of Directors will review the position statement, providing edits as necessary. If a majority of the Board supports the position statement, AEJMC will issue the statement to the membership and on the website. If the position statement does not gain Board approval, the request and decision will be noted in AEJMC’s annual report. In either instance, PF&R will notify the member of the Board’s decision.
- If the proposal does not receive a majority vote from the PF&R Committee, the position statement proposal is considered rejected. In such cases, PF&R will notify the submitting member (or group of members) of the rejection, along with providing a brief rationale of the decision.
- Position statements do not require full AEJMC membership approval.
- Decisions by the Executive Director, the PF&R Committee, and the Board will be made in a timely manner and are final.
Process for Resolution Requests
- Individual members or groups of members will email resolution requests to the Elected Standing Committee on Professional Freedom and Responsibility (PF&R). This group of AEJMC members whom you elected is empowered to vet and craft resolutions to be sent forward for further discussion by the AEJMC Board of Directors and then the full AEJMC membership.
- In addition to the PF&R Elected Standing Committee, the Board of Directors will consider all resolutions and then every member has an opportunity to voice opinions/concerns about a resolution before it is voted on by the membership.
- All resolutions should be submitted to the PF&R Committee no later than June 1. This deadline allows ample time for initial review and presentation of the resolutions to the AEJMC membership at our annual conference in August.
- A good and likely successful resolution request:
- Has a clear idea of what you want to see done and how to do it.
- Ensures that the request is based on facts.
- Gathers feedback from your peers prior to submittal.
- Provides context for the request.
- Considers opposition and shapes the request accordingly.
- Offers one-to-two clear action steps for the association or its members.
- Is clear and direct.
Third-Party Statements
On occasion, AEJMC will partner with other academic associations in the development and/or endorsement of a position statement or letter. Due to the short time frame this process typically allows, the Board of Directors will review the letter or statement in accordance with the guidelines set forth above. In instances where the Board supports dissemination of joint statements, the statement or letter will be shared with the membership and on the association website. Such requests and board decisions will be included in the AEJMC annual report.
Process for Third-Party Statements
- PF&R will vote on whether the request meets the criteria and merits further consideration by the Board of Directors. Requests are approved by a majority vote of the committee.
- If the third-party statement request receives a majority vote, PF&R will send the third-party position statement or letter to the Board of Directors for review. The Board of Directors will review the position statement. If a majority of the Board supports the third-party position statement, AEJMC will issue the statement to the membership and on the website. If the position statement does not gain Board approval, the request and decision will be noted in AEJMC’s annual report. In either instance, the Executive Director will notify the third party of the Board’s decision.
- If the request does not receive a majority vote from the PF&R Committee, the position statement or letter request is considered rejected. In such cases, the Executive Director will notify the third party of the rejection, along with providing a brief rationale of the decision.
- Support of third-party statements or letters does not require full AEJMC membership approval.
- Decisions by the Executive Director, the PF&R Committee, and the Board will be made in a timely manner and are final.
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