Ask SPLC: Can private school advisers safely testify in support of a protective student media policy?

Q: I am a student media adviser at a public high school whose principal has censored several articles over the years. Last week he did it again for no other reason, he said, than "it made the school look bad." This has prompted my students to ask the school board to pass a new, more protective… Continue reading Ask SPLC: Can private school advisers safely testify in support of a protective student media policy?

Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain

Halle Roberts (middle right) and Jack Williams (right) stand with other staff members of The Herald in Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Ark. Photo courtesy of Jack Williams

ARKANSAS — An Arkansas school district drew national criticism after it apparently broke state law by censoring the paper and halting its publication. The district also announced it would implement prior review. Springdale Public Schools backtracked and allowed online publication of the censored story and editorial, but significant obstacles remain unresolved. The Student Press Law… Continue reading Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain

University of North Alabama President addresses censure over ousted student media adviser

The Flor-Ala media adviser Scott Morris and members of The Flor-Ala staff were in New York to attend a journalism conference.

12/10/2018 UPDATE: The President of the University of North Alabama, Kenneth Kitts, called College Media Association's censure an “effort to conflate an academic decision… with an attack on the First Amendment.” Kitts' Dec. 6 statement to the UNA faculty senate said CMA’s censure has given rise to “sensational headlines” about the university and its administration,… Continue reading University of North Alabama President addresses censure over ousted student media adviser