Covering the upcoming election as a student journalist can be daunting — but it’s crucial. Student media coverage helps to inform young voters. The youth vote is always important, but could be especially so in 2020. In 2018, 40.3 percent of college students voted in the midterm, according to Tufts. That’s up from just 19.3… Continue reading Resources for covering the 2020 election as a student journalist
The Clery Act is a college journalist’s holy grail to reporting on campus crime. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, or the Clery Act for short, requires that schools participating in federal student aid funding notify the campus when a crime has been reported. Virtually every college and university… Continue reading How to use the Clery Act to cover campus crime
Student journalists around the country engaged with readers, called for grassroots movements to ensure their First Amendment rights, and took a stand against censorship for Student Press Freedom Day on Jan. 29. Student Press Freedom Day was launched by the Student Press Law Center in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark 1988… Continue reading Op-eds, panels, newsroom open houses, TikToks: How student journalists celebrated Student Press Freedom Day 2020
Do you know how much top administrators at your school make? Employee contracts can provide reporters with newsworthy information about how a public school is utilizing taxpayer money for employee salaries and other benefits. Every record created by a public agency or government body, including public schools, is presumed to be open unless a law… Continue reading How to report on school employee contracts and salaries
UPDATE: The Virginia House Education Committee passed an amended version of HB 36 that did not include free speech protections for middle and high school journalists on Monday, Feb. 3. Hillary Davis, Student Press Law Center's New Voices advocacy and campaign organizer, said the Virginia New Voices coalition hopes the legislature will decide to hold… Continue reading Virginia Education Committee guts New Voices legislation with a major amendment, leaving high school journalists unprotected
MICHIGAN — Grand Valley Lanthorn Sports Editor Kellen Voss conducted what started out as a fairly routine interview with newly-hired Grand Valley State University football offensive coordinator, Morris Berger. Things took a turn when Voss asked Berger for three historical (non-football) figures he’d like to have dinner with, and Berger said Adolf Hitler. KV: "So… Continue reading College paper goes viral after unpublishing then republishing coach’s quote complimenting Hitler
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Four notable student journalists discussed the future of press freedom and challenges like censorship and backlash from peers on a panel at the National Archives on Jan. 29. The event was part of Student Press Freedom Day, which launched in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1988 Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier… Continue reading Student journalists talk about their role in the community, censorship, backlash and press freedom
In 2019, nearly 70 student newsrooms wrote editorials as part of the Year of the Student Journalist. For Student Press Freedom Day, we've relaunched the op-ed campaign for pieces on the importance of student press freedom. High school, college and professional journalists are answering the call. Don't see your name on the list below? Email Danielle Dieterich… Continue reading Student and professional journalists write op-eds for Student Press Freedom Day
NEW YORK — Student reporters of The Saint Rose Chronicle used to freely interview employees of The College of Saint Rose in Albany, but since 2017, that access has been slowly taken away from them, they said. Aileen Burke, former executive editor at The Chronicle said that starting in 2017, employees who were usually happy… Continue reading New York college journalists say PR stands between them and employee interviews
Every month the Student Press Law Center publishes a list of paid journalism internships. Here are some internships with upcoming deadlines. Student Press Law Center (Washington D.C.)• Journalism Interns - The Student Press Law Center is seeking passionate student journalists with an interest in justice. We’re looking for self-starting, experienced young reporters to chronicle student… Continue reading Apply now to these paid summer 2020 internships
