FLORIDA — Last month, Dalton Tevlin, the sports director at Florida International University’s student newspaper, wrote a scathing column announcing PantherNOW would not be covering the football team at all this upcoming season in response to the school’s athletics communications office repeatedly ignoring reporters' requests for comment. Tevlin said 12 minutes after the Aug. 29… Continue reading FIU student newspaper resumes football coverage after resolving access issue
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Can I be punished for fighting censorship at my school?
Q: Can I be punished for fighting censorship at my school? A: You cannot be punished for speaking out and expressing views opposing those of school officials unless you break laws or school rules in how you choose to fight the censorship. For example, if you organized or participated in a protest that included walking out of… Continue reading Can I be punished for fighting censorship at my school?
Rutgers newspaper moving forward without school funding
NEW JERSEY — A 150-year-old student newspaper at Rutgers University says it plans to continue publishing despite school funding being cut until at least the 2022-23 academic year. The Daily Targum faces a referendum every three years where at least 25 percent of Rutgers students must vote to approve funding the newspaper for the following… Continue reading Rutgers newspaper moving forward without school funding
New Voices bills see success and defeat in 2019 state legislative sessions
The New Voices movement has made significant strides in 2019, with a record number of state bills (11) introduced, and two measures adopted in Arkansas to strengthen protections for student journalists. New Voices is a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of state-based advocates who seek to protect student press freedom with state laws. These laws counteract… Continue reading New Voices bills see success and defeat in 2019 state legislative sessions
Press Freedom Presentation
This presentation describes the free press rights of high school journalists afforded through court decisions and state laws.
Libel Law Presentation
This presentation provides student journalists with a straightforward guide to understanding and identifying libel.
Freedom of Information Law (Public Records) Presentation
This presentation explains what laws are available and how they can help you obtain access to records and meetings of interest to high school student media.
Applications are open for paid spring and summer journalism internships
Every month, the Student Press Law Center publishes a list of paid journalism internships. Here are more than 30 spring and summer internships with upcoming deadlines. Did we miss any? Email SPLC reporter Joe Severino to add an internship. Student Press Law Center, (Washington, D.C.)• Journalism Internship — Join our small and scrappy team! The… Continue reading Applications are open for paid spring and summer journalism internships
Kansas school board revises, approves student publications policy after initial 1A scare
UPDATE: The Shawnee Mission School Board in Kansas unanimously approved a policy on Aug. 12 that set lawful parameters for what student media in the district can and can't publish. The final policy is a revision of an initial proposal introduced in July the school board that would have allowed administrators to censor any student… Continue reading Kansas school board revises, approves student publications policy after initial 1A scare
Can student journalists claim reporter’s privilege?
Q: Are student journalists allowed to claim reporter’s privilege to protect the identity of their sources? A: State reporter’s privilege laws allow journalists to withhold confidential newsgathering materials from the parties in a criminal investigation or a civil lawsuit. In most states, the shield applies to anyone who regularly gathers and distributes news to the public… Continue reading Can student journalists claim reporter’s privilege?