Court one step closer to making WWU release names of sexual misconduct perpetrators to student journalists

Courtesy of The Western Front

WASHINGTON — Western Washington University refused to release the names of students guilty of sexual misconduct in Title IX records they sent to student journalists at The Western Front. But in an October 22 court decision, a Whatcom County judge sided with student journalists, saying the law doesn’t protect the names of students guilty of… Continue reading Court one step closer to making WWU release names of sexual misconduct perpetrators to student journalists

University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students

Cover of the most recent print issue of The Koala, published in 2016

UPDATE — The University of California San Diego settled a First Amendment lawsuit with a student-run satirical publication on Sept. 8, 2020, which legal experts say secured significant protections for student journalists against financial censorship. The lawsuit stemmed from a controversial November 2015 article from The Koala, a satirical newspaper on campus. The student government… Continue reading University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students

New Voices bills see success and defeat in 2019 state legislative sessions

The New Voices movement has made significant strides in 2019, with a record number of state bills (11) introduced, and two measures adopted in Arkansas to strengthen protections for student journalists. New Voices is a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of state-based advocates who seek to protect student press freedom with state laws. These laws counteract… Continue reading New Voices bills see success and defeat in 2019 state legislative sessions

Kansas school board revises, approves student publications policy after initial 1A scare

Ben Henschel, Editor-in-Chief of The Harbinger, speaks out against the proposed policy at a July 8 school board meeting. Shawnee Mission School District / YouTube

UPDATE: The Shawnee Mission School Board in Kansas unanimously approved a policy on Aug. 12 that set lawful parameters for what student media in the district can and can't publish.  The final policy is a revision of an initial proposal introduced in July the school board that would have allowed administrators to censor any student… Continue reading Kansas school board revises, approves student publications policy after initial 1A scare

PODCAST: What the privatization of Florida State University’s athletics department will mean for journalists

The spring 2019 staff of FSView and Florida Flambeau in their newsroom. Photo courtesy of Zach Bethel
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Ginny Bixby: Access to public records can be the key to great journalism, especially at a public university. By examining public records, student journalists gain  information about a school’s operations and hold school officials accountable for their actions.  For student journalists at Florida State University in Tallahassee, covering the athletics department is about to become… Continue reading PODCAST: What the privatization of Florida State University’s athletics department will mean for journalists

These paid fall journalism internships are open now!

Unsplash / Andrew Neel

Every month, the Student Press Law Center publishes a list of paid journalism internships. Here are a bunch of fall internship opportunities that are still accepting applications. Did we miss any? Send an email to SPLC reporter Ginny Bixby to get internship information added. August 1 Slate (New York) Editorial Internship — Candidates for the… Continue reading These paid fall journalism internships are open now!

Georgia State University pulls student-produced magazine from freshman orientation

Daniel Varitek / The Signal

GEORGIA — Georgia State University in Atlanta has pulled a student-run magazine from bags handed out to incoming freshmen at orientation. The reason for the last minute change depends on whom you ask. Administrators said printing the 52-page magazine used too much paper. Editors say a story about students with alternative jobs, including a stripper,… Continue reading Georgia State University pulls student-produced magazine from freshman orientation

Applications are open for fall journalism internships

Unsplash / Christin Hume

Every month, the Student Press Law Center publishes a list of paid journalism internships. Here are a bunch of fall internship opportunities with upcoming deadlines. Did we miss any? Send an email to SPLC reporter Ginny Bixby to get internship information added. Student Press Law Center Journalism Internship — Join our small and scrappy team!… Continue reading Applications are open for fall journalism internships

Texas New Voices bill times out, will be reintroduced in 2021

Rep. Mary González talks with students journalists supporting her HB 2244 outside of the Public Education Committee room.

UPDATE: A Texas New Voices bill timed out in session and will have to be reintroduced in 2021. HB2244 passed out of the House Public Education Committee, but died in the calendars committee, which schedules floor hearings. The legislative session ended May 27. An identical bill in the Senate, SB514, was heard in the Senate… Continue reading Texas New Voices bill times out, will be reintroduced in 2021

Nebraska New Voices bill times out for this session, but will be back in 2020

Photo by Julia Holmquist

UPDATE: A New Voices bill heads to the floor of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature in early 2020. LB206 passed through legislative committees, but wasn't heard on the floor during the 2019 session, which ended June 6. It will carry over into the 2020 session, which starts in January. The bill is the tenth of 86… Continue reading Nebraska New Voices bill times out for this session, but will be back in 2020