Today’s student journalists are leading vital work on their campuses and in their communities. They’re telling stories that matter, holding institutions accountable and helping to fill information gaps at a time when local news is in crisis across the country. As they continue to publish powerful journalism, exercise their First Amendment freedoms and learn their craft, they’re also facing increasing challenges and threats. They’re navigating rising censorship, a hostile political climate, artificial intelligence and other factors shaping how journalism is created, consumed and perceived.
At the Student Press Law Center, we recognize that the need to defend and advance student press freedom has never been greater. As the challenges facing student journalists grow more complex, we are responding with a strategic plan that sharpens our focus and strengthens how we support students, educators and advisers in this moment.
Introducing Our 2026-2028 Strategic Plan
We are proud to share the Student Press Law Center’s 2026-2028 strategic plan, “To Our Future.” It is a bold, focused roadmap for the next three years that will guide everything we do to defend and advance the rights of student journalists — educating and empowering them as full and essential members of a well-functioning and free press.
Student journalists are courageous in their pursuit of truth and transparency. They hold power to account… We must do everything we can to protect their voices, their rights and their journalism.
— Gary Green, Executive Director, Student Press Law Center
We are deeply grateful for the perspective and expertise of our staff, Board, students, journalists, advisers, educators, partners and funders who helped shape this plan. Their collective insights ensured that it reflects both the urgency of this moment and the realities student journalists are facing.
Our four strategic priorities:
- Equip student journalists, advisers and educators to navigate challenges.
- Scale our impact to meet rising demand.
- Support the acceleration of student reporting programs.
- Lead in service of student journalism.
With your support contributing to our collective energy and efforts on advancing this plan, we expect that:
- Student journalists, their educators and advisers will be more prepared to navigate challenges and adapt in a changing media landscape.
- More students will practice their First Amendment and newsgathering rights freely and with the support of their educational institutions.
- Our work and resources will be more visible and widely recognized among student journalists, educators and journalism leaders.
- Our legal response and resources can meet the needs and challenges of our community, even as demand for our services is increasing.
Defending and advancing student press freedom requires sustained commitment, and it cannot be done alone. Whether you are a student journalist, educator, partner or advocate, you have a role to play in strengthening the future of student journalism.
We are excited for what’s ahead, and more grateful for the community that makes it possible. This plan is our promise to you, and we invite you to be a part of it.
The Student Press Law Center is the nation’s only legal organization devoted exclusively to defending and advancing the free press rights of student journalists. Since 1974, we have helped students and their educators navigate the law, strengthen their reporting and stand up for press freedom. Our legal support, education and advocacy empower student journalists to report freely and courageously. Stay updated by subscribing at splc.org/newsletter.