New Voices in New York

Current status: A 1345, sponsored by Representative Donna Lupardo, and S 647, sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh, were introduced in January 2023 and referred to the respective Education committees. New York does not generally hold public hearings on legislation, and so advocates are working behind the scenes on phone-banking, letter-writing, and meetings with legislators to gain support.

On February 28. 2023, more than fifty student journalists and advisers traveled to to the State House in Albany. While there, they met with more than three dozen legislators and knocked on the doors of every single legislative office in the building to show support for the Act.

On April 30, 2019, more than 80 high school journalists, their advisers and other supporters traveled to Albany to meet with lawmakers. While there, the advocates held a news conference to bring attention to the need for New Voices legislation.

On January 29, 2020, the Assembly passed a resolution declaring January 29, 2020 as Student Press Freedom Day.

Shortcuts:
• Get involved
• Why New York needs New Voices
• Endorsements
• Recent news

Get involved

  • Contact your state legislators to let them know why this legislation is important to you. Find out who your senator is here, and your assemblymember here. Not sure what to say? Check out our phone script and letter-writing tips here.
  • Learn the basics about the New York Senate, and the Assembly.
  • Get your friends and colleagues involved. Download and share this flier, find answers to frequently asked questions, or find other resources here.
  • Follow and share content from @NewVoicesNY on Twitter.
  • Like and share posts on the New Voices of New York Facebook page.
  • Get looped in with volunteer coordinators to let them know about your efforts. And, please get in touch if you are or were a student journalist (or adviser) who was the target of censorship, intimidation or retaliation:

Why New York needs New Voices

Endorsements

The Deadline Club – Society of Professional Journalists

Empire State Scholastic Press Association

Freedom of the Press Foundation

National Coalition Against Censorship

New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)

Press Club of Long Island

Teens for Press Freedom

Tully Center for Free Speech

Youth Journalism International

You can see the list of national endorsers at the bottom of this page.

Recent News