Following the results of the 2024 election, Executive Director Gary Green shared this update with the Student Press Law Center community:
This week has been an uncertain and difficult time for many, including student journalists who have been covering this election and its outcome. While we do not know what the coming weeks, months and years will bring, we do know that our nation and our communities will need independent, powerful journalism more than ever. SPLC is committed to being a leader in defending and educating high school and college student journalists as they play an integral role in strengthening our democracy.
I want to take this moment to share with you how we plan to meet this consequential moment and why we should invest in this generation of journalism.
First and foremost, for 50 years now, SPLC has been offering free legal support to student journalists and their educators, and that will continue — including by providing pre-publication review and by responding to requests for help when students face obstruction, censorship or arrest. In the first three months of this academic year, we’ve seen a 47% increase in inquiries to our free Legal Hotline — with no signs of slowing down. SPLC answers every call free of charge. No student journalist in need is turned away.
Ensuring that student press freedom protections are enshrined into law in every state is also a key part of our work. So far, 18 states have adopted New Voices laws, protecting 10.5 million students. But we won’t stop there. Our team is coordinating with advocates across the country who are already preparing for the upcoming legislative season and securing support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. We are dedicated to passing these protections for millions more students in the coming years. The New Voices movement also is an opportunity to provide young leaders with the skills and experience they need to advocate for change in their communities, including through our New Voices Student Leaders Institute.
We understand that the results of the 2024 presidential election could be transformational for many students. It is critical that SPLC continues to provide students with the tools and support they need to safely report on their communities free from censorship, intimidation or attacks. We believe in the power of student journalism and the voices of the next generation to bring about positive change, and that’s why we are committed to providing them with knowledge, mentorship and inspiration to persevere through dark and challenging times.
There have been times of uncertainty before, and SPLC has met the moment each time as a leader in promoting, supporting and defending the First Amendment and newsgathering rights of student journalists. Today will be no different.
To the students and advisers we serve: Thank you for what you do each day to report the facts and tell the stories that need to be told throughout our country.
To those of you who support this work through donations or by sharing our work with others: Thank you for being allies in our mission to provide these essential services to students when they need it most.
Together, we will continue to support and amplify student voices and ensure that student press freedom rights are protected for all.