The Student Press Law Center is proud to announce a generous $100,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to strengthen its legal infrastructure for high school and college student journalists who are providing vital news and information to their communities.
This investment comes as student journalists play an increasingly essential role in local news and our democracy, while their First Amendment rights are under siege. They report stories that matter and hold the powerful accountable. Yet they face growing challenges, including censorship, prior restraint, retaliation and a lack of institutional support.
The Student Press Law Center serves as a critical legal and educational resource for these emerging reporters and their educators. By growing its legal services, training and collaborative partnerships, the Student Press Law Center will deepen its impact in helping student journalists navigate the law and report powerful journalism.
“At a time when local news is disappearing across the country, student journalists are stepping up to fill critical gaps, often in the very communities that need reliable information the most,” said Gary Green, executive director of the Student Press Law Center. “This investment from the Henry Luce Foundation allows us to strengthen the legal and educational support these students and their advisers rely on to report boldly, safely and effectively. It’s an investment not only in student journalists, but in the future of local news and a more informed, engaged democracy.”
This grant will enhance the Student Press Law Center’s continued support of student reporting programs that are partnering with local newsrooms to fill news and information gaps in news deserts. It will also help SPLC deepen its work with college and high school student media that are covering their communities by increasing the legal training offered to student journalists and their advisers in regions across the country, both in-person and virtually.
This grant reinforces the foundation’s commitment to democracy and civic life, including ensuring that citizens have access to resources and information that they need to fully participate in their communities. The contribution to the Student Press Law Center is a part of the Luce Foundation’s efforts to strengthen democratic culture during this urgent moment. Last year, the foundation announced a two-year effort to increase its grantmaking budget by $25 million to create a dedicated pool of funds to address critical challenges facing democratic institutions and civil society.
Learn more about the Student Press Law Center’s work and how you can support student journalists at splc.org.
About the Student Press Law Center: 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.
About the Henry Luce Foundation: The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. We do so by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying diverse voices, and investing in leadership development.