The Student Press Law Center is proud to announce that longtime media lawyer Melissa Bevan Melewsky will join the organization on Sept. 28 as its first legal director.
Melewsky brings deep experience supporting journalists as they assert their rights and produce powerful journalism, including serving 20 years as media law counsel at the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.
“Melissa joins the Student Press Law Center at a transformational time for the organization,” Executive Director Gary Green said. “As we roll out our new strategic plan, student journalists are playing a larger role than ever in their local news ecosystems, even as they face escalating legal threats for doing that important work. Melissa brings more than two decades of media law and legislative experience defending press freedom, and she’s joining us at an exciting time when students need a fierce advocate more than ever.”
At PNA, Melewsky provided guidance to hundreds of journalists each year, conducted pre-publication review of investigative reporting, and counseled newsrooms on litigation risk and access disputes. She also represented Pennsylvania’s news media before the General Assembly and elsewhere to advocate for press freedom and government transparency.
A respected educator and speaker, Melewsky has also developed and led dozens of continuing education programs for journalists, attorneys, government officials and students, and has served as a guest lecturer at colleges and universities across Pennsylvania.
In her new role with SPLC, Melewsky will bring that deep expertise to support the nation’s student journalists. She will play a critical role in scaling the organization’s impact in the face of rising demand for its legal services and offerings.
“I am honored to join the Student Press Law Center at such a critical time for journalism,” Melewsky said. “Student journalists are often the first to inform their communities and hold institutions accountable. Protecting their rights isn’t just about defending individual students and publications, it’s about strengthening the next generation of journalists and, ultimately, our democracy. It will be a privilege to work alongside SPLC’s talented team, students, educators and supporters to ensure that young journalists have the legal support and advocacy they need to report freely, fearlessly and responsibly.”
Melewsky earned her Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from The Pennsylvania State University and her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law.
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.