This Constitution Day, we take a look back on the key student free speech & expression SCOTUS cases that shaped the current legal landscape.
Reflecting on the legal foundations of student free speech and expression
Tag: First Amendment
The Supreme Court’s 303 Creative decision: “A vital tool in the arsenal of student journalists”
Attorney Lena Shapiro analyzes the Supreme Court's 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis decision, explaining the implications for student journalists.
SPLC joins free speech groups in filing an amicus brief in First Amendment Herndon v. Netflix case
Learn more about our brief arguing against restricting certain speech to younger audiences in the face of a teen’s tragic suicide.
Celebrating and reflecting on a paradoxical Constitution Day
While Sept. 17 is a day to celebrate the U.S. Constitution and all of the rights and protections it affords, it's ironic to celebrate when there are so many threats to press freedom.
SPLC urges Tennessee to protect student media from investigation
The Student Press Law Center has submitted formal comments to the Tennessee Department of Education urging it to amend draft regulations implementing the state’s new ban on so-called “prohibited concepts" to ensure that student journalists will not be penalized under the new law. The SPLC has called upon Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn to… Continue reading SPLC urges Tennessee to protect student media from investigation
MEDIA ADVISORY: SPLC attorneys are available to provide analysis of Mahanoy v. B.L.
Student Press Law Center attorneys are available to speak with media about the ruling in this major student speech case and its implications.
Former president of Haskell Indian Nations University fired after making unconstitutional directives to student editor and faculty
UPDATE: The former president of Haskell Indian Nations University Ronald Graham has been fired. An internal investigation commissioned by the Haskell National Board of Regents confirmed Graham’s actions violated the First Amendment, “stifling the free speech rights of students and faculty.” The regent’s vote to remove Graham follows a unanimous vote of ‘no confidence’ from… Continue reading Former president of Haskell Indian Nations University fired after making unconstitutional directives to student editor and faculty
Nebraska high school journalist refuses to back down, publishes her censored article on Confederate flags and racism at school in local paper
NEBRASKA — In September, Jessica Mathieu, a senior at North Platte High School, in southwest Nebraska, stole a Confederate flag from another student’s pickup truck parked in the school parking lot. She posted a video on social media acknowledging that she had stolen the flag, saying, “I know what I did was wrong, but what you’re doing is worse. You’re making people at your school feel like they’re not welcome.”
SCOTUS agrees to hear B.L v. Mahanoy Area School District, calling student’s off-campus First Amendment rights into question
UPDATE: The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a Pennsylvania public high school student who was punished by her school after she cursed her cheer team on Snapchat on a Saturday night while off campus. Legal experts and educators have watched the case, B.L. v. Mahanoy closely — the high court's… Continue reading SCOTUS agrees to hear B.L v. Mahanoy Area School District, calling student’s off-campus First Amendment rights into question
University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students
UPDATE — The University of California San Diego settled a First Amendment lawsuit with a student-run satirical publication on Sept. 8, 2020, which legal experts say secured significant protections for student journalists against financial censorship. The lawsuit stemmed from a controversial November 2015 article from The Koala, a satirical newspaper on campus. The student government… Continue reading University settles lawsuit with satirical campus publication, affirming 1A protections for students