Reporter's privilege laws vary by state. Some laws provide broad protection, shielding both unpublished and published information as well as confidential and non-confidential sources and information.
Author: Student Press Law Center
STATEMENT OF CONCERN: University of Southern California and the Daily Trojan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2018 Contact: Diana Mitsu Klos, director of engagement (202) 728-7267/ dmk@splc.org / @SPLC The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) is concerned about the recent situation wherein an official of the University of Southern California briefly restricted a journalist for the Daily Trojan newspaper from taking notes and reporting on a public forum for students, staff… Continue reading STATEMENT OF CONCERN: University of Southern California and the Daily Trojan
A state-by-state guide to covering student government meetings
Note: As most states have never specifically ruled on the applicability of open meetings laws to student government meetings, the following state-by-state analysis represents the Student Press Law Center's best judgment of how a court might decide the issue.
Access to student government meetings and information
A state-by-state guide to your legal right to attend student government meetings.
Washington New Voices Act (2018)
In 2018, Washington became the 14th state to sign a law protecting the rights of student journalists.
Rhode Island New Voices Act (2017)
The Student Journalists’ Freedom of Expression Act was introduced on February 16, 2017, and signed into law by Governor Gina Raimondo on July 18, 2017.
Nevada New Voices Act (2017)
The Nevada New Voices legislation was signed into law by Governor Brian Sandoval on June 2, 2017 and became effective on October 1, 2017.
Vermont New Voices Act (2017)
Vermont New Voices legislation was incorporated into House Bill 513, which was signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on May 23, 2017.
Student Press Law Center Names New Executive Director
Hadar Harris, a human rights attorney and non-profit leader with a passion for working with and on behalf of students, will become the next executive director of the Student Press Law Center, effective Sept. 6, 2017.
FERPA Fact, massive head injury edition: College claims athlete concussions stats are confidential
Although comparable colleges released the information without hesitation, East Tennessee State University claims that the number of athletes treated for concussions is a FERPA-protected secret. When the Johnson City Press asked for the number of times football players suffered concussions during practices and games, an ETSU lawyer responded, “The information requested falls into the education record… Continue reading FERPA Fact, massive head injury edition: College claims athlete concussions stats are confidential