A senior at George Mason High School, Barney is the editor of the George Mason Standard, the school newspaper. Of the many well-developed characters in the narrative, Barney is the closest to being the protagonist of the novel. He participates in most of the group discussions, publishes key editorials and an exposé of the principal’s unethical behavior, and is interviewed by the national news media.

Near the top of his class academically, Barney hopes to be an author one day. He is liked by students and teachers alike. Along with Scott Berman, Barney is one of the two Jewish students mentioned by Hentoff. Precocious in his maturity, Barney grasps the importance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press; he stands against censorship and supports Nora and the other Huckleberry Finn advocates. He also comes to understand the need to self-censor in journalism in order to preserve the right to publish; with his advisor Maggie’s help, he learns to assess threats to free speech, ultimately deciding when to keep quiet for the greater good and when to take a stand.

Barney forms kinships with those characters who are interested in protecting Huckleberry Finn and preserving the right to free speech.