Current Status: Arizona has passed New Voices once before, and advocates are working to see it become law in 2024. The 2024 Arizona legislative session begins in January. Join the movement by emailing SPLC’s Advocacy and Organizing Team at newvoices@splc.org.
Join the Movement
- Read our model New Voices bill and talk with SPLC’s New Voices Advocacy and Organizing Team (newvoices@splc.org) about what would work best in Arizona.
- Contact your state legislators to let them know why this legislation is important to you. Find out who your legislators are here. Not sure what to say? Check out our phone script and letter-writing tips here.
Other Ways to Get Involved
- Refine your thoughts with talking points, find answers to frequently asked questions, or find other resources here.
- Spread the word about New Voices. Enlist all your friends in Arizona to raise their voices in support of this measure, which ensures the basic First Amendment rights of student journalists and protects their advisers from retaliation.
- Locate a copy of your school district’s student media or student expression policy. This toolkit can tell you everything you need to know about your policy and what you can do with it. Some student media policies offer legal protection equal to or even exceeding New Voices protections. If that’s the case, spread the word! (And let SPLC know, too.)
- Help your colleagues better understand student press freedom by inviting an SPLC expert to join you: SPLC In The Classroom.
Why Arizona needs New Voices
- Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
- ‘Oh my God, we broke it.’ Student journalism flexes its muscle with huge scoop in Trump-Ukraine coverage Student Press Law Center (9-30-19)
- ‘Student Press Freedom Day’ reminds Arizonans that high school journalists need First Amendment protections now Northeast Valley News (1-30-19)
History of New Voices in Arizona
- 1992: SB 1307 was introduced by Senator Stan Furman. One student testifying on the bill later became Senator Kimberly Yee, who went on to run for the legislature, chair the committee she testified before, and sponsor SB 1384. The bill was recommended by the Senate Education Committee, but did not pass the full legislature.
- 2017: SB 1384 passed the Arizona Senate unanimously and the Arizona House by a vote 0f 41-19. It was vetoed by then-Governor Doug Ducey.
Endorsements
You can see the list of national endorsers at the bottom of this page.