News

Student coverage of racial justice protests

Protestors in Wilmington (NC) gather on the steps of City Hall downtown. (Panda Omo)

Student journalists are on the frontlines of protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis on May 25. Through their coverage, students are keeping their communities informed on protests, curfews and local government response, despite attacks from police and risk of exposure to COVID-19. In order to recognize and express our appreciation for… Continue reading Student coverage of racial justice protests

The Student Press Law Center condemns the attack on Ohio State University student journalists who were covering protests

white logo saying SPLC and Student Press Law Center on a bright blue background

The Student Press Law Center, joined by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and the College Media Association, condemns the attack on student journalists from Ohio State University who were covering a protest in Columbus on June 1. Journalists from The Lantern were lawfully covering a protest taking place adjacent to the campus. Confronted… Continue reading The Student Press Law Center condemns the attack on Ohio State University student journalists who were covering protests

Student Press Law Center condemns arrest of CNN crew in Minneapolis as an affront to U.S. democracy and example of racial bias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2020 Contact: Diana Mitsu Klos, director of engagement (202) 728-7267/ dmk@splc.org Download the statement as a PDF The Student Press Law Center condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of CNN journalist Omar Jimenez and his crew in Minneapolis during a live broadcast early this morning, Friday, May 29. Jimenez was… Continue reading Student Press Law Center condemns arrest of CNN crew in Minneapolis as an affront to U.S. democracy and example of racial bias

COVID-19 coverage by student journalists

Student journalist have been at the forefront of news reporting amid the coronavirus outbreak. In this unprecedented time, student reporters are working together, sometimes from thousands of miles apart, to cover campus and community news. In recognition of the essential work of student journalist, the Student Press Law Center has put together a list featuring… Continue reading COVID-19 coverage by student journalists

Can my school deny a public records request because of COVID-19?

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in โ€œAsk SPLC.โ€ Q: I recently submitted an open records law request to my public school for budgetary information related to a time-sensitive story Iโ€™m working on. No one is disputing that the records are โ€œpublic recordsโ€ that must be… Continue reading Can my school deny a public records request because of COVID-19?

Students face restricted access to open records and meetings due to COVID-19

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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, student journalists are facing issues obtaining public records and accessing what should be open meetings. SPLC staff attorney Sommer Ingram Dean said a majority of the calls to SPLC's legal hotline in March and April have been about COVID-19 related access issues. She said student journalists have called about:  Experiencing… Continue reading Students face restricted access to open records and meetings due to COVID-19

โ€œEveryone I know has had their internships canceledโ€: Students face journalism internship and job cuts due to COVID-19

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News outlets around the country are laying off staff, furloughing employees and implementing hiring freezes due to the financial fallout of COVID-19. Many college journalists have lost internships or had post-grad job offers withdrawn, while others are in limbo waiting to hear back from potential employers. On April 29, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported… Continue reading โ€œEveryone I know has had their internships canceledโ€: Students face journalism internship and job cuts due to COVID-19

Can we run a column about a student’s experience being tested for COVID-19?

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in โ€œAsk SPLC.โ€ Q: One of my classmates, a high school junior, has written a column about being tested for COVID-19. Itโ€™s well-written and informative. She talked it over with her parents and wants to use her name. Are there… Continue reading Can we run a column about a student’s experience being tested for COVID-19?

WEBINAR: SPLC and PEN America talk to leading college journalists about how COVID-19 has changed their newsrooms

Student journalists discussed their transition to remote reporting via Zoom in a virtual roundtable with SPLC and PEN America on Friday, April 24

https://youtu.be/qLO97YLr57s On April 24, the Student Press Law Center and PEN Americaโ€™s Campus Free Speech Program hosted an online forum with college journalists who discussed the challenges they are facing because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The forum was moderated by Nicholas โ€œNikoโ€ Perez, program coordinator for campus free speech at PEN America. It also featured… Continue reading WEBINAR: SPLC and PEN America talk to leading college journalists about how COVID-19 has changed their newsrooms