The Student Press Law Center asked New Voices advocates to reflect on their accomplishments and lessons learned during the 2024 legislative season. Other posts in this series can be found here.
Charlie Yale is a student journalist and activist from Omaha, Nebraska. As the editor of his paper, he lobbied for a New Voices law in Nebraska. Charlie will be a freshman in college, where he plans to continue his New Voices advocacy.
This year, Nebraska had the opportunity to become the newest state to pass New Voices legislation.
LB1071 was introduced in the beginning of the second session of the 108th Legislature by Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln. The bill was sent to the Judiciary Committee, where it failed to advance on a 4-4 vote that was split across party lines.
While the legislation’s importance is clearer than ever in Nebraska — look to the Viking Saga in Grand Island that was shut down in 2021 for covering LGBTQ+ issues during pride month — some legislators weren’t willing to budge on or prioritize the issue of protections for student journalists.
Though the bill failed this legislative session, it’s important to note how people coalesced around supporting the First Amendment rights of student publications. Student journalists across the state — including myself — showed up and made their voices heard. Kaitlyn Lisko, the editor-in-chief of The Burke Beat, wrote an opinion piece supporting the passage of the bill. The Register, the longest-running student publication west of the Mississippi River, also released an editorial in support of LB1071. Students, teachers, community members and advisers testified in support of the bill during the Judiciary Committee hearing, where the bill’s unfortunate fate was ultimately sealed.
In the past, New Voices legislation has had success advancing out of committee — in 2021, Sen. Adam Morfeld introduced and prioritized LB88, which gave it an easier path to the floor of the legislature. The bill had the support of a near supermajority — 28 yes votes to 17 no — but failed because of the filibuster.
No matter the case, the impacts that students have made surrounding New Voices in Nebraska will build momentum for future attempts at passing this kind of legislation. Before Nebraska’s May primary elections and November general elections, make sure you contact your candidates and let them know that New Voices protections must be a priority.
Learn more about New Voices here.