The North Dakota House of Representatives approved legislation on Monday that would protect the free-speech rights of student journalists at public schools and colleges — sending the bill to the governor’s desk for a signature.
State Senators in North Dakota gave unanimous support to legislation Thursday that would enhance students’ freedom of expression in school-sponsored media.
Of the 6,406 students and teachers who attended the National High School Journalism Convention in Washing, D.C., Nov. 6-9, 2013, 464 students and 51 advisers responded to survey questions asking about their experiences with censorship of student media.
The legislation would enhance students’ freedom of expression in school-sponsored media regardless of school funding, preventing administrators from invoking the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier precedent.
Legislators in North Dakota introduced a bill Monday ensuring students’ freedom of expression in school-sponsored media, regardless of whether the media receives financial support from the school or college.