At the Student Press Law Center, we recognize that the need to defend and advance student press freedom has never been greater. As the challenges facing student journalists grow more complex, we are responding with a strategic plan that sharpens our focus and strengthens how we support students, educators and advisers in this moment.
Amid escalating student press censorship, funding cuts and other challenges, participants in the 2026 State of Student Press Freedom webinar made it clear that students aren’t cowering under these growing threats. Instead, they are actively fighting them.
Student reporters at Michigan State explain how public records helped them uncover misconduct, investigations and hidden decisions.
A California Superior Court judge last week ordered San Francisco Unified Schools to restore Eric Gustafson to his role as Lowell High School journalism adviser. A few days after the verdict, the Student Press Law Center caught up with Gustafson to chat about the ruling.
In a major win for student journalists and a warning to school administrators, a California court found this week that San Francisco’s Lowell High School violated the state’s New Voices law when they reassigned the school’s journalism adviser solely because of his students' reporting.
This rare and extreme step serves as yet another reminder that student journalists should familiarize themselves with digital security best practices, as well as the laws concerning the protection of confidential sources and materials.
So far in the 2026 legislative session, six states have introduced New Voices bills to undo the effects of Hazelwood, while advocates in other states are looking to follow.
Student Press Law Center Executive Director Gary Green and the entire team thank you for being part of the SPLC community!
SPLC closed out a year of celebrating its half-century legacy with a celebration on Oct. 29. Decorated journalists — students and career professionals alike — highlighted the need and urgency for SPLC’s work in supporting student journalists nationwide.
A Student Press Law Center-led coalition filed an amicus brief in a federal lawsuit today to highlight the widespread chilling effect on student voices caused by recent immigration enforcement actions.
