SPLC commends the recent steps taken by the state of Iowa which enable student publication advisers to guide their students without fear of censorship or disciplinary action.
Iowa has been a leader in codifying student press freedom— they were the third state to pass legislation protecting student voices in the immediate aftermath of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier over 30 years ago. By oversight, that law did not also protect advisers.
The Student Press Law Center hopes other states follow Iowa’s lead in closing this gap. No adviser should be threatened for defending their student’s rights but if you are, contact our free legal hotline for support.
New Voices is a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of state-based activists who seek to protect student press freedom with state laws. These laws counteract the impact of the 1988 Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court decision, which dramatically changed the balance of student press rights. New Voices supporters include advocates in law, education, journalism and civics who want schools and colleges to be more welcoming places for student voices.
For more information or to get involved, contact New Voices Advocacy and Campaign Organizer Hillary Davis at hdavis@splc.org.