The News Literacy Project, Press Pass NYC and Student Press Law Center have been selected to present at SXSW EDU, one of the world’s most prominent education conferences.
A student journalist will join a panel of nonprofit leaders for the session, “Think Like a Journalist: Building Civic Resilience.”
Young people face unprecedented challenges in the information landscape, from censorship in student media to identifying AI-generated content and misinformation. The panel will explore how news literacy education and student journalism help students become informed, engaged members of their communities. Panelists also will highlight how New Voices legislation protects student journalists’ rights.
Selected in part through a community vote, the panel was one of thousands of submissions vying for a spot on the conference stage in Austin, Texas, March 13-16, 2027.
The panelists are:
Shreya Vaidhyanathan, student journalist at University of Texas at Austin
“The student journalists I have the privilege of working with are curious, driven and eager to tell stories that matter to their communities. But these reporters grow only when they have the freedom to report honestly and ask difficult questions without fear of repercussions. Protecting press freedom starts with formally cultivating those skills in the classroom and then giving young journalists the space to use them.”
Ebonee Otoo, Senior Vice President of Social Impact at the News Literacy Project
“There has never been a more important time to teach students the news literacy skills they need to tell what’s real in a sea of slop, develop healthy skepticism instead of harmful cynicism and seek out credible, standards-based news and information. I’m excited to explore how news literacy education helps equip young people with these vital life skills, on one of the biggest stages in education.”
Lara Bergen, Press Pass NYC Founder and CEO
“Reporting real stories for their school communities teaches students to ask the right question, verify the answers and earn their readers’ trust. These are exactly the habits that build civic resilience in a world flooded with misinformation and AI-generated content. Yet most public high schools don’t have a student news publication. Press Pass NYC is changing that, and we’re proud to partner with the Student Press Law Center and the News Literacy Project to show how young people can strengthen communities, one student newsroom at a time.
Gary Green, Student Press Law Center Executive Director
“Student journalism is where young people learn to ask hard questions, vet information and participate in their communities. Along the way, they gain a clearer understanding of how the government is supposed to work and how our news and information systems shape the world. We have a responsibility to teach young people these critical components of civic engagement. The Student Press Law Center is honored to share the stage with our partners and grow support for the New Voices laws that protect student journalists’ First Amendment rights.”
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.