Studio SPJ, a podcast of the Society of Professional Journalists, featured the New Voices U.S. campaign in its latest episode.
In the Feb. 20 episode, SPJ Region 1 Director Jane Primerano interviewed Student Press Law Center Executive Director Frank LoMonte and John Tagliareni and Tom McHale, both high school journalism advisers in New Jersey who have been involved in New Voices of New Jersey.
Tagliareni and McHale talked about their efforts to bring forth the anti-censorship legislation in New Jersey, while LoMonte offered perspective on the national effort taking place in 20 states. There are currently four active student press freedom bills across the country — in Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska and Illinois.
“It would be more progress than we’ve seen in 15 years if four states all of sudden joined this movement,” LoMonte said. “We really think there would become a tipping point when the dominos will start falling very much faster once people realize these laws are not scary or dangerous.”
Listen to the full podcast here.