Student journalists undertake responsible journalism and hold the powerful accountable. They are often the only reporters covering their campuses or even their communities, and they can provide a prospective no one else can. Yet their press freedom isn’t always guaranteed by the First Amendment. Here are three ways you can help student journalists by supporting… Continue reading Three Ways You Can Support Student Press Freedom
Student journalists undertake responsible journalism and hold the powerful accountable. They are often the only reporters covering their campuses or even their communities, and they can provide a prospective no one else can. Yet their press freedom isn’t always guaranteed by the First Amendment.
The Brechner Freedom of Information Project analyzed the financial and editorial independence of newsrooms at four-year colleges with 5,000 or more students enrolled.
The Student Press Law Center submitted written testimony Feb. 9 in response to proposed amendments to Wisconsin’s SB 571. SPLC strongly supports the original legislation but urged the state Senate Committee on Universities and Revenue to reconsider amendments that would significantly undermine the bill’s protection of student journalists. The legislation, based on SPLC’s model bill,… Continue reading SPLC submits testimony on Wisconsin New Voices amendments
Va. Code Ann. § 23.1-401.2 Public college student journalists; freedom of speech and the press. A. As used in this section: “Institution-sponsored student media” means any material that is prepared, substantially written, published, or broadcast by a student journalist at a public institution of higher education under the direction of a student media adviser and distributed or… Continue reading Virginia College Press Freedom Act
In a letter Wednesday, the Student Press Law Center encouraged Omaha Public Schools to endorse proposed legislation that would protect student press freedom in Nebraska. The OPS board decided it would revisit its original opposition to Legislative Bill 1071 following comments at Monday’s school board meeting from several student journalists and a representative from the… Continue reading SPLC urges Omaha Public Schools to support New Voices bill
Guide to using public records laws to cover stories of interest to your community.
Washington, D.C. (Jan. 16, 2024) – In a year where student journalists are playing an increasingly crucial role in the news ecosystem, the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) celebrates its 50th anniversary as the sole legal organization exclusively devoted to supporting student journalists. As student press freedoms face unprecedented challenges, this year’s Student Press Freedom Day on Feb. 22, adopts the theme “Powerfully Persistent.”
The Student Press Law Center is pleased to announce that educator Kelly Furnas has been elected as chair of the SPLC Board of Directors, and educator Adriana Chavira has joined the board.
Following West Virginia’s passage of a New Voices law earlier this year, the Student Press Law Center submitted comments on a proposed student media policy for Webster County Schools in Webster Springs, West Virginia.
