Censorship isn’t always cut and dry. That’s why, for the next few weeks, the Student Press Law Center is highlighting some common red flags — so you can keep an eye out for censorship.
Write the story. We’ve got your back.
Are you dealing with these red flags? Have you been overtly censored? SPLC is here to help. Contact our legal hotline for assistance.
“The adviser at my public college insists on reading my articles before I publish them.”
You can say no. Courts have made clear that mandatory prior review at a public college — even by an adviser with good intentions (and certainly by an administrator whose intentions may not be so honorable) — violates the First Amendment.
While the First Amendment does not provide the same protections to private school student media, every national journalism education group in the country condemns mandatory prior review.
If this happens to you (or you have a student media law question) head to SPLC’s legal hotline for support.
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