Censorship concerns remain after Burke School Board's written clarification

The Burke County Board of Education recently emailed The Paper a written “clarification” of its earlier unanimous public decision to revoke special media privileges. The message came after a private meeting with the newspaper and while a public records request for internal documents related to the board’s action remains pending.

The original action was taken on Dec. 15 at the Board’s regularly scheduled December meeting, when all board members read aloud and unanimously approved a prepared statement criticizing The Paper’s coverage of Burke County Public Schools.

The statement accused the newspaper of publishing “misleading, inaccurate, or distorted information” and described what it called a documented pattern of reporting that undermined public understanding of school system decisions.

Without identifying specific articles, headlines, or factual inaccuracies, the statement asserted that the issues were not matters of opinion or interpretation, but involved inaccuracies significant enough to warrant revoking enhanced access to school officials and facilities.

The 221-word clarification was sent in a much less public fashion — in a Dec. 23 email sent by Cheryl Shuffler, the school district’s public relations officer. The email stated that the board’s action was directed at special access and was prompted by what is said was a factually inaccurate headline and reporting that caused confusion among staff. The clarification again did not identify the headline or reporting at issue.

The school board stated that its action did not impair The Paper’s ability to report on Board of Education business and was not a prior restraint, retaliation for viewpoint reporting, censorship, or a content-based restriction.

The clarification outlined categories of access the district said would continue to be provided to The Paper. Those included agendas and press releases distributed through the district’s media listserv, access to public records, access to open meetings, and interview requests handled on a case-by-case basis. The board also said the newspaper would continue to have access to athletes and coaches at college or university signings and athletic events.

“The clarification does not change the fact that the school board, in a public meeting livestreamed and recorded for its YouTube channel, accused The Paper and its staff of not living up to journalistic standards, something I vehemently reject. I see their statement as a punishment for scrutiny,” said Angela Kuper Copeland, The Paper’s executive editor. “The clarification also does not resolve serious First Amendment concerns. Despite the softer language in the emailed clarification, the wording still reflects that the school district is unevenly granting access to news organizations covering Burke County Public Schools and its board.”

The clarification cited Board Policy 5020, which applies to all media and allows school administrators to limit media access if it interferes with maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment or disrupts instructional time. The document concluded by stating that no further action was contemplated and that the district appreciated continued dialogue with The Paper.

From a practical perspective, the clarification shifted the board’s position from alleging a broad pattern of inaccurate reporting to referencing a single instance, while maintaining that special access beyond what is available to the general public is discretionary. The clarification also explicitly addressed legal characterizations not mentioned in the original statement.

On Dec. 19, The Paper submitted a formal public records request under North Carolina law seeking internal documents related to the school board’s action. The request seeks correspondence, memoranda, drafts, notes, and other records involving board members, the superintendent, administrators, staff, public information personnel, and legal counsel that reference The Paper, its staff, media access, reporting accuracy, or professional standards since Sept. 18, 2025.

The request also seeks communications discussing headlines, editorials, and any internal evaluations of The Paper’s reporting. The records request was directed to the superintendent, the board chair and vice chair, the board’s attorney, and all board members.

“The requested records may provide insight into how the original statement was drafted, what reporting was discussed internally, and how the board evaluated concerns about media coverage before and after its public vote,” Copeland said. “As of publication, the district has not released records identifying specific, alleged factual inaccuracies in The Paper’s reporting.”

Under the action announced during the Dec. 15 meeting, the board revoked The Paper’s access to advance briefings, priority interview scheduling, behind-the-scenes accommodations, and entry into nonpublic areas or school sites outside of regular public events. The board said the action was intended to prevent special access from being used to distribute information that it characterized as knowingly misleading or harmful to public trust.

The statement asserted that The Paper’s legal rights were not affected, including attendance at public board meetings and the ability to request public records.

Following the unanimous vote in a packed meeting hall, The Paper requested an in-person meeting with school officials to review the allegations of inaccurate reporting. In a written response, The Paper said it had not received any prior written notice, correction request, or documentation identifying specific factual errors, nor had it been given an opportunity to respond before the Board’s action.

The Paper said it stood by the accuracy and fairness of its reporting and requested that the Board identify any specific claims it believed were incorrect. The letter stated that if substantiated factual inaccuracies were identified, the newspaper would promptly and publicly correct them in keeping with journalistic standards.

“The Paper rejects the Burke County Board of Education’s characterization of our reporting,” Copeland said. “We stand behind the objectivity of our news stories, the integrity of our staff, and how we cover our public institutions, including the school board and the district schools.”

The district said in its emailed clarification that it considers the matter closed. The Paper said it is still seeking documentation supporting the board’s claims and will correct any substantiated factual errors, while continuing to cover Burke County Public Schools and the Board of Education.“The Paper remains committed to covering Burke County Public Schools fully, accurately, and without intimidation,” Copeland said. “We will continue to attend public meetings, file public records requests, and report on decisions that affect students, parents, employees, and taxpayers.”

The Burke County Board of Education is next scheduled to meet Monday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m.