Members of the New Voices Pennsylvania coalition traveled to the state capitol building in Harrisburg on June 25 to meet with several key legislators and their staff members to discuss student press freedom.
Student journalists from across the state, joined by advisers and other advocates, met with Sen. Carolyn Comitta, who introduced the coalition to the Senate session.
“At a time when we are witnessing a decline in access to and respect for fair, fact-based and impartial journalism both locally and on the national level,” Sen. Comitta said, “New Voices Pennsylvania reinforces the need for a free press that is made up of responsible, highly trained reporters who are committed to journalistic ethics and best practices.”
Coalition members split up into groups to talk individually with state representatives, senators and their legislative staff about New Voices Pennsylvania’s mission of upholding press freedom in school-sponsored media.
Advocates talked with members of the Senate and House of Representatives education committees, or their staff members, such as Sen. Greg Rothman, Rep. Stephenie Scialabba’s legislative assistant, Rep. Paul Takac and Sen. Anthony Williams’ staff member. During the meetings, members spoke about HB 806, the House of Representatives New Voices bill introduced for the 2025-26 legislative session.
“This was my first time lobbying inside — let alone visiting — the Harrisburg Capitol, and engaging 1:1 with senators and representatives alongside other high school students passionate about the New Voices legislation feels so pivotal,” said rising senior Jeffrey Heng, New Voices Pennsylvania member and co-managing editor for The Spoke at Conestoga High School. “For a state like Pennsylvania to receive laws recognizing student press freedom would ensure individuals like us can report the truth without unlawful censorship.”
New Voices Pennsylvania advocates spoke with legislators during a Lobby Day on June 25, including Sen. Greg Rothman (top right), Rep. Paul Takac (bottom left) and Sen. Carolyn Comitta (bottom right). Photos by Jeffrey Heng (student at Conestoga High School), Samantha Corza (adviser at State College Area High School) and James Robinson (Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus).
Known as Safeguarding Free Speech for Student Journalism, the legislation would ensure students’ First Amendment rights within school-sponsored media. It would allow them to cover stories about the local community without fear of undue censorship, protect student journalism advisers from retaliation and uphold quality, ethical journalism for the next generation.
Members of the team later met with Rep. Melissa Shusterman, the main sponsor of HB 806, to discuss the bill.
“Freedom of the press is essential to maintaining and protecting student journalistic integrity, but the media outlet decline silences their voices,” Shusterman wrote in the bill memorandum. “I am an advocate for government transparency, and that starts with our students.”
Faith Zantua is a rising senior, the New Voices Pennsylvania Lead Student Advocate and co-news editor of The Spoke at Conestoga High School.
To learn more or get involved in New Voices Pennsylvania, email panewvoices@gmail.com.
About New Voices: New Voices is a student-led, nonpartisan movement working to end censorship of student media by passing state laws that protect students’ right to report freely. The Student Press Law Center powers this movement by convening coalitions, educating lawmakers, sharing model policies and equipping students with the training and confidence they need to stand up for press freedom. Learn more about the movement at splc.org/new-voices.