Learn more about the 2025 New Voices Student Leaders Institute and meet the participants.
2025 New Voices Student Leaders Institute
News
Deleted photos, silenced voices: ICE walkouts most censored story of the year
As thousands of students across the country walked out of school in January and February to protest the killing of two Minneapolis residents by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, many student journalists were prevented from covering one of the biggest stories of the year. It was the single largest subject of censorship reported to SPLC's Legal Hotline this school year.
Eight student media lawsuits we’re following
It has been a turbulent year in the courts for student journalism, with a number of decided and ongoing cases that could have long-lasting implications for student press freedom and beyond. The Student Press Law Center reviews where eight of these cases stand right now.
Maryland students call for withdrawal of prior review memo
More than 150 student journalists from all 25 public high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, sent an open letter today demanding their district comply with the state’s New Voices legislation after the release of an alarming memo that requires principals to read and approve every story before publication.
Press groups to IU: ‘Now is the time’ to demonstrate commitment to student media
A coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter Tuesday to Indiana University administrators, urging them to act on a student media task force’s recommendations — and warning that the press freedom community is still watching.
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Alabama court decision threatens student press freedom
The Student Press Law Center today condemned a federal court ruling upholding — for now, at least — the University of Alabama’s decision to shut down two student magazines, calling the decision a significant threat to student press freedom nationwide.
Someone wants your reporting notes, records or testimony. What should you do?
Florida attorney David M. Snyder shares how student journalists can protect themselves from giving up their materials in response to a legal demand.
Virginia legislature commends staff of Theogony
Resolution HJ 196 honors the students for their months-long campaign that fended off their school district’s attempt to curtail their independence and eventually secured greater protections in a new district-wide policy.
Amended Missouri New Voices bill ‘antithetical’ to First Amendment
HB 2918, a New Voices bill aimed at curbing arbitrary censorship of the state’s student journalists, was amended in March to include language that likely would lead to the opposite result. The amended bill awaits a full vote on the House floor, but advocates now hope it never receives one.