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There are still plenty of summer journalism internships left — but don’t wait to apply
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Every month, the Student Press Law Center makes a list of paid journalism internships. It’s not too late to apply for a great summer internship at premier outlets like American Public Media, The Daily Beast, The Nation and major broadcasters. Did we miss any? Send an email to SPLC reporter Cory Dawson to get internship… Continue reading There are still plenty of summer journalism internships left — but don’t wait to apply

Citing too many leftover copies, officials cut a Utah student newspaper’s budget. Student journalists feel targeted.

Caption: Recent copies of the Dixie Sun News on a newsstand. After a year of tough coverage of the campus by student journalists and a fight over what constitutes an open meeting, campus officials cut Sun's budget. Officials say the cut was due to too many leftover papers. Credit: Rhiannon Bent, adviser to the Dixie Sun News.
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UTAH — The newspaper at Dixie State University in Utah just lost a quarter of its student fee funding; editors say they’re being targeted, but the student government and administration say it’s to curb paper waste. The university’s board of trustees made the cut on March 22 at the recommendation of a student government committee… Continue reading Citing too many leftover copies, officials cut a Utah student newspaper’s budget. Student journalists feel targeted.

Ask SPLC: Can we use the title of a show as a headline or yearbook theme?
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Q. We want to use soap opera titles, such as "Days of our Lives," to head our yearbook sections. Any problems? A.  This question has many popular variants. For example, can we use book titles (Dr. Seuss's "Oh, the Places You'll Go" is a perennial favorite) as our yearbook theme? Can we use movie titles… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Can we use the title of a show as a headline or yearbook theme?

Students, upset at front-page story about busted house party, caught on camera throwing out newspapers

Screenshot of a student throwing copies of the Hawks' Herald newspapers in the trash. Students later admitted they were unhappy with a front-page article detailing a busted house party. Credit: Hawks' Herald/Roger Williams University Public Safety Video
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RHODE ISLAND — Two Rhode Island college students were caught on camera throwing out copies of a student newspaper. About 100 copies of the Hawks’ Herald newspaper at Roger Williams University were trashed in late February after the paper ran a front-page story about a house party that was busted by local police. Two students… Continue reading Students, upset at front-page story about busted house party, caught on camera throwing out newspapers

NEWS RELEASE: Student Press Law Center Statement on Government Involvement in Promoting “Free Inquiry”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2019 Contact: Diana Mitsu Klos, SPLC director of engagement, (202) 728-7267 dmk@splc.org We are concerned by the attempt by government to insert itself into “free inquiry” and the debates around free speech on campus at both the federal and state level. Since 1974, the Student Press Law Center has been… Continue reading NEWS RELEASE: Student Press Law Center Statement on Government Involvement in Promoting “Free Inquiry”

Ask SPLC: Can I use copyrighted material as long as I credit the source?
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Q.  Can I use copyrighted material (online or otherwise) as long as I properly credit the source? A.  Simply giving credit (for example, "Photo courtesy of The New York Times") usually isn't enough. Unless you can make a fair use argument or unless you're certain that material is not protected by copyright (for example, works… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Can I use copyrighted material as long as I credit the source?

Minnesota’s New Voices bill set to advance in House, faces rougher waters in Senate

Emma Yarger, a student journalist at the Echo at St. Louis Park High School testifies in support of the Minnesota New Voices bill moving through the statehouse. Credit: Grace Farley, The Echo
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MINNESOTA - A New Voices bill that would protect student journalists in grades six through 12 is making its way to the House floor of the Minnesota Statehouse. The bill, HF1868, was first introduced four years ago. It took a change of party control in the House, and the bill’s author becoming chair of the… Continue reading Minnesota’s New Voices bill set to advance in House, faces rougher waters in Senate

Ask SPLC: Is my newspaper responsible for comments on our posts?
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Q: Is my student newspaper legally responsible for online comments that someone outside of our organization may post? A: If the comments are made by outsiders and not your own staff, the Communications Decency Act provides legal shield to you and your website. These protections apply even if you are aware of objectionable content or voluntarily… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Is my newspaper responsible for comments on our posts?

Utah bill that would subject BYU police department to public records law sent to governor’s desk

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A bill that would force campus police to comply with Utah public records law was approved by the state House of Representatives Tuesday. The Senate approved the bill earlier this month, and the measure now goes to Gov. Gary Herbert to sign. The law would expand the definition of a law enforcement agency to cover… Continue reading Utah bill that would subject BYU police department to public records law sent to governor’s desk

PODCAST: New Voices advocates talk struggles and successes

Missouri supporters Mitch Eden, Jack Rintoul, Rep. Deb Lavender, Thora Pearson and Maddie Meyers Photo by: Hannah Hall, Lavender's Chief of Staff
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Cory Dawson: Since 1988, student reporters have lived under a Supreme Court ruling that gives school administrators vast control over what goes into their school’s newspapers. Since then, students, advocates and media advisers have worked to put press freedoms for student journalists into law by passing New Voices laws in 14 states. These laws  protect… Continue reading PODCAST: New Voices advocates talk struggles and successes