COVID Toolkit

The coronavirus pandemic and resulting school closures are affecting student journalists and advisers in myriad ways. The Student Press Law Center has created a number of resources to help you cope with the problems you may face, including access issues, financial burdens and challenges presented by operating entirely online.

How else can we help?

Is there a guide, resource or news story you’d like to see from SPLC about the coronavirus? Email SPLC Digital Strategist Danielle Dieterich at ddieterich@splc.org with the subject line “How SPLC can help me” and let us know.

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Other tools and tips

• Censorship of Student Journalists Persists Despite their Essential Role Reporting on COVID, Protests, Racial Justice and Elections, New White Paper Finds - Contact: Hadar Harris, Executive DirectorStudent Press Law Center(202) 549-6316 / hharris@splc.org Student Journalists Celebrate 3rd Annual Student Press Freedom Day on Feb. 26  Washington, D.C. — In anticipation of the 3rd annual Student Press Freedom Day on Friday, Feb. 26th, the Student Press Law Center released a white paper today detailing a continuing pattern of censorship of student journalists by… Continue reading Censorship of Student Journalists Persists Despite their Essential Role Reporting on COVID, Protests, Racial Justice and Elections, New White Paper Finds
• Countering COVID-related FERPA objections - Many times administrators cite FERPA as a reason to restrict access to information which the public is entitled to receive. During the pandemic, we see FERPA being used inappropriately to deny important information to student media. SPLC has developed the letter below for you to download and send (or give) to administrators when they misapply FERPA… Continue reading Countering COVID-related FERPA objections
• Guide to Reporting (and Running an Efficient Newsroom) Remotely During the Coronavirus Closures - Switching to online-only presents unique challenges for student journalists. SPLC answers your top questions about how to continue doing high-caliber reporting and maintain staff morale and efficiency in this new reality.

• Understanding Yearbook Censorship in the Time of COVID - As well-meaning as they may be, a school official telling you what you can and cannot publish is still censorship. Here are a few things to know as you navigate publication decisions for your yearbook.
• What to do if your program is under threat because of COVID-19 - Tips for what to do if you have been told by administrators or student government that you can’t cover the pandemic even though you are taking proper measures to protect your health and the well being of those around you, can’t produce yearbook pages about how the pandemic affected your school or are facing a budget cut because of COVID-19.
• Resources for teaching remotely - Teachers and advisers can utilize these online resources including presentations, quizzes and SPLC's Virtual Speakers Bureau to transition their classes to an online format.

Answers to your top questions about coronavirus coverage

• Can we publish photos of crowded hallways at our school during COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: As students and teachers return to school during the COVID19 pandemic, can we take and publish news photos of students/teachers — masked or unmasked — walking in a crowded school hallway? A: Yes. It is long-established law… Continue reading Can we publish photos of crowded hallways at our school during COVID-19?
• Can my school deny a public records request because of COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: I recently submitted an open records law request to my public school for budgetary information related to a time-sensitive story I’m working on. No one is disputing that the records are “public records” that must be… Continue reading Can my school deny a public records request because of COVID-19?
• Can we run a column about a student’s experience being tested for COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: One of my classmates, a high school junior, has written a column about being tested for COVID-19. It’s well-written and informative. She talked it over with her parents and wants to use her name. Are there… Continue reading Can we run a column about a student’s experience being tested for COVID-19?
• Can school boards require registration to online meetings? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, our community is practicing social distancing, so school board meetings are now held via videoconference. Our administration requires anyone who wants to attend a meeting to complete a registration form, which… Continue reading Can school boards require registration to online meetings?
• Does HIPAA limit my ability to report on COVID-19 cases? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: I’m being told the federal HIPAA law limits my ability to report on COVID-19 cases. Is this true? A: No. While HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) may limit the information a medical provider can… Continue reading Does HIPAA limit my ability to report on COVID-19 cases?
• Can (and should) we publish the name of a student who tested positive for COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Recently, we had a student at our school test positive for COVID-19. He lived in an on-campus dorm and rumors are starting to fly, many of them inaccurate. He has not gone public, but we have… Continue reading Can (and should) we publish the name of a student who tested positive for COVID-19?
• How can I access information about my school’s plans to cope with COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: I am trying to figure out what my school is doing to cope with COVID-19. How can I access information about their plans? A: Your school’s budget has been set since the beginning of the year. But… Continue reading How can I access information about my school’s plans to cope with COVID-19?
• Can my access to meetings be limited due to COVID-19? - Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Can my access to meetings be limited due to COVID-19? A: If you normally would have access to the meetings (and they continue to occur), you have a right to be present. In other words, COVID-19 cannot… Continue reading Can my access to meetings be limited due to COVID-19?

Student coverage

• COVID-19 coverage by student journalists - Student journalist have been at the forefront of news reporting amid the coronavirus outbreak. In this unprecedented time, student reporters are working together, sometimes from thousands of miles apart, to cover campus and community news. In recognition of the essential work of student journalist, the Student Press Law Center has put together a list featuring… Continue reading COVID-19 coverage by student journalists

• Coronavirus Yearbook Spreads - The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the 2019-2020 academic year in unprecedented ways, leading to school closures across the country. Yearbook staffs face the unique challenge of not only documenting things like canceled sporting events, proms and virtual graduation ceremonies, but figuring out how to produce, sell and distribute yearbooks when normal processes aren’t possible. In… Continue reading Coronavirus Yearbook Spreads