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Can we create an online directory of alumni that includes their photos and graduation dates?
Legal

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Can we (student media staff) create an online directory of alumni that includes their photos and graduation dates? A: You can certainly create a directory that includes the names and graduation dates of former students. No special… Continue reading Can we create an online directory of alumni that includes their photos and graduation dates?

Southern Oregon student paper fights entire budget being cut and wins

The Siskiyou's staff successfully appealed student government's decision to defund their paper. From left to right: Clare DiMuzio (staff writer), Autumn Micketti (co-editor), Emiliana Rawley (co-editor), Emily Perry (staff writer), and Tally Broderick (staff writer). Photo by Melissa Matthewson
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Editor's note: If you're facing a newsroom budget cut, contact SPLC's legal hotline for help. OREGON — Southern Oregon University’s student newspaper, The Siskiyou faced a dwindling bank account after the student government budget committee voted to cut all their funding for the 2020-2021 academic year. But after the editors’ testimony and alumni appeal letters,… Continue reading Southern Oregon student paper fights entire budget being cut and wins

Connecticut schools can’t claim employee misconduct records are FERPA protected, FOI commission rules

Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio
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The Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission, an administrative agency that enforces open record laws, unanimously decided on Feb. 13 that schools cannot withhold educator misconduct records on the grounds of protecting student privacy. The ruling clarifies that public schools can't withhold an entire employee misconduct document because it contains identifying information about a student —… Continue reading Connecticut schools can’t claim employee misconduct records are FERPA protected, FOI commission rules

There’s still time to get a paid summer 2020 journalism internship

Pexels / Fox
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Every month the Student Press Law Center publishes a list of paid journalism internships. Here are some internships with upcoming deadlines. March 1 American Association for the Advancement of Science Internship (Washington, D.C.) Science News Writer Intern – Science, a website and magazine owned by AAAS, is looking for interns to write and report for… Continue reading There’s still time to get a paid summer 2020 journalism internship

Do open meetings laws apply to public school student governments?
Legal

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Does the student government at my public school have to abide by my state's open meetings laws? A: Maybe. Open meetings laws vary by state, and most courts haven’t specifically ruled on whether state open meetings laws apply… Continue reading Do open meetings laws apply to public school student governments?

What to do when your student news outlet’s budget gets cut

Piggy bank tipped over with coins spilling out
Pixabay / kschneider2991
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If your student publication is funded fully or in part by student fees, you should have a plan in place in case of a budget cut. If the cuts come after critical coverage of the university or your student government, you may be able to claim the university or student government violated your First Amendment… Continue reading What to do when your student news outlet’s budget gets cut

Are fonts subject to copyright protection?
Legal

Every week, Student Press Law Center attorneys answer a frequently asked question about student media law in “Ask SPLC.” Q: Are fonts subject to copyright protection? A: Yes. Fonts — which are basically computer programs or software that tell your printer or computer screen how to create the shape of a letter or character — meet all… Continue reading Are fonts subject to copyright protection?

“How long are we going to wait?” Editor-in-Chief criticizes Radford’s newspaper theft investigation

The Tartan newsroom / Dylan Lepore
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UPDATE: Dylan Lepore, editor-in-chief of The Tartan, wrote a letter to Radford University President Brian Hemphill on Student Press Freedom Day voicing his disapproval for how the university handled its investigation into the theft of 1,000 newspapers in fall 2019. Lepore criticized Radford police's decision not to charge the employee found responsible for stealing several racks… Continue reading “How long are we going to wait?” Editor-in-Chief criticizes Radford’s newspaper theft investigation

Resources for covering the 2020 election as a student journalist
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Covering the upcoming election as a student journalist can be daunting — but it’s crucial. Student media coverage helps to inform young voters.  The youth vote is always important, but could be especially so in 2020. In 2018, 40.3 percent of college students voted in the midterm, according to Tufts. That’s up from just 19.3… Continue reading Resources for covering the 2020 election as a student journalist