Veteran journalists and media lawyers join Student Press Law Center Board of Directors
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Veteran journalists and media lawyers join Student Press Law Center Board of Directors
The Student Press Law Center has named four new members to its Board of Directors to serve its mission to support, promote and defend the First Amendment rights of student journalists and their advisers at the high school and college levels.
What is the difference between prior restraint and prior review?
Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: What is the difference between prior restraint and prior review? A: Put simply, prior review can be legal (at the high school level) and prior restraint is limited by the First Amendment. Prior review is when your principal… Continue reading What is the difference between prior restraint and prior review?
Know Your Rights: Cyberlaw and Online Publishing
Some of the most frequently asked questions about content published on the internet.
University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students
UPDATE — The University of California San Diego settled a First Amendment lawsuit with a student-run satirical publication on Sept. 8, 2020, which legal experts say secured significant protections for student journalists against financial censorship. The lawsuit stemmed from a controversial November 2015 article from The Koala, a satirical newspaper on campus. The student government… Continue reading University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students
SPLC and the New England First Amendment Coalition call on schools to protect speech, press rights
The Student Press Law Center and the New England First Amendment Coalition are calling on public school administrators across New England to protect the speech and press rights of students as they return to class this fall.
SPLC & seven groups send Letter of Concern to police chief and mayor of Richmond, Va. over mistreatment of journalists covering protests
The Student Press Law Center, joined by seven press freedom and First Amendment groups, has sent the following Letter of Concern in response to repeated clashes between officers of the Richmond Police Department and journalists covering protests for racial justice this summer. In recent months, journalists, including several college journalists, have been pepper sprayed, tear… Continue reading SPLC & seven groups send Letter of Concern to police chief and mayor of Richmond, Va. over mistreatment of journalists covering protests
Guidance on creating a policy about reporting in-person during COVID-19
Whether your school plans to have classes in-person, remotely or a hybrid system this semester, we encourage you to create a class / publication policy about in-person reporting. A simple policy can give clarity and set expectations for your students at the start of the school year. SPLC crafted the following suggested language to guide… Continue reading Guidance on creating a policy about reporting in-person during COVID-19
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
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 that… Continue reading Can we publish photos of crowded hallways at our school during COVID-19?