Press Freedom in Your State

Who We Are

The Student Press Law Center works at the intersection of law, journalism and education to promote, support and defend the rights of student journalists and their advisers at the high school and college levels.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan SPLC provides information, training and legal assistance at no charge to student journalists and the educators who work with them. Founded in 1974, the SPLC is a small and scrappy outfit based in Washington, D.C. with an outsized impact across the country.

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FOI Lawsuit Template

If a government agency denies your request for records, use our templates to file a complaint in court and learn about legal options in your state.

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Recent News

In a win for transparency, Pennsylvania court orders release of school bus surveillance video

Editor’s Note: The Student Press Law Center signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida arguing for greater transparency in public schools and against overly broad usage of FERPA to block what should be public information. The following is an excerpt from a story by the… Continue reading In a win for transparency, Pennsylvania court orders release of school bus surveillance video

Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain

ARKANSAS — An Arkansas school district drew national criticism after it apparently broke state law by censoring the paper and halting its publication. The district also announced it would implement prior review. Springdale Public Schools backtracked and allowed online publication of the censored story and editorial, but significant obstacles remain unresolved. The Student Press Law… Continue reading Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain

University of North Alabama President addresses censure over ousted student media adviser

12/10/2018 UPDATE: The President of the University of North Alabama, Kenneth Kitts, called College Media Association’s censure an “effort to conflate an academic decision… with an attack on the First Amendment.” Kitts’ Dec. 6 statement to the UNA faculty senate said CMA’s censure has given rise to “sensational headlines” about the university and its administration,… Continue reading University of North Alabama President addresses censure over ousted student media adviser