Current Status: The Wisconsin legislature has adjourned and will not meet again this year. AB 551 passed unanimously in the Assembly, but SB 571 never received a vote in the Senate. Join the movement by emailing New Voices Wisconsin at newvoiceswi@gmail.com or the SPLC’s Advocacy and Organizing Team at newvoices@splc.org. You can also connect with New Voices Wisconsin on X.
Other Ways to Get Involved
- Refine your thoughts with talking points, find answers to frequently asked questions, or find other resources here.
- 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.
- Spread the word about New Voices. Enlist all your friends in Wisconsin 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.
Why Wisconsin needs New Voices
- Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
- Student journalism essential for community, hands-on learning The Daily Cardinal (1-30-19)
- Reflections from New Voices student leaders: Kiley Clarquist Student Press Law Center (8-22-23)
- High school paper in Wisconsin slapped with a prior review policy after publishing a story on rape culture; SPLC’s model guidelines soon replace policy Student Press Law Center (11-18-15)
- State Law Should Guarantee Freedoms for Student Journalists Student Press Law Center (2-17-16)
- Wis. high school reverses prior review policy, returns editorial control to students, adviser Student Press Law Center (9-4-14)
- Prior review policy results in censorship of Wisconsin student journalists — again Student Press Law Center (6-2-14)
- Fond du Lac principal censors student news magazine’s censorship photo illustration Student Press Law Center (4-24-14)
- Newly circulated bill would strengthen student journalists’ right to free speech The Daily Cardinal (10-19-23)
- Stoughton high schooler advocates for student press freedom The Cap Times (10-25-23)
- SPLC provides testimony supporting proposed New Voices bill in Wisconsin Student Press Law Center (10-27-23)
- Wisconsin Assembly approves New Voices bill Student Press Law Center (11-8-23)
History of New Voices in Wisconsin
- 1991: New Voices is first introduced in the Wisconsin legislature, in the form of AB 567 sponsored by Rep. Peter Bock and Rep. David Clarenbach.
- 1992: AB 567 passes the entire legislature before it is unexpectedly vetoed by Governor Tommy Thompson.
Endorsements
You can see the list of national endorsers at the bottom of this page.
Recent News
- SPLC submits testimony on Wisconsin New Voices amendments (2/9/2024) - The Student Press Law Center submitted written testimony Feb. 9 in response to proposed amendments to Wisconsin’s SB 571. SPLC strongly supports the original legislation but urged the state Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue to reconsider amendments that would significantly undermine the bill’s protection of student journalists. The legislation, based on SPLC’s model bill,… Continue reading SPLC submits testimony on Wisconsin New Voices amendments
- SPLC testifies at Wisconsin Senate hearing in support of New Voices bill (12/6/2023) - SPLC testified at Wisconsin's Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue in support of proposed New Voices legislation.
- Wisconsin Senate committee to hear New Voices bill (12/4/2023) - The Wisconsin Senate’s Committee on Universities and Revenue will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 5, on a bill that would offer protection to many of the state’s student journalists and student media advisers.
- Wisconsin Assembly approves New Voices bill (11/8/2023) - The Student Press Law Center commends the Wisconsin Assembly for their approval yesterday of New Voices legislation restricting censorship of school-sponsored student media. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Sponsored by Representative Tom Michalski, AB 551 ensures that Wisconsin’s public sixth grade through college student journalists determine the content of student media… Continue reading Wisconsin Assembly approves New Voices bill
- SPLC provides testimony supporting proposed New Voices bill in Wisconsin (10/27/2023) - SPLC provided written testimony to Wisconsin's Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities in support of proposed New Voices legislation.