An exchange between Rep. Andy Harris and a University of Maryland's Cat Murphy is a reminder that student journalists will sometimes be told — confidently and incorrectly — that they’re doing something illegal. That’s why it’s important to know your rights before going into the field to report, and the Student Press Law Center is here to help.
Newly issued guidelines from Montgomery County Public Schools make progress in recognizing the editorial independence of student media, but advocates argue the district still falls critically short of complying with the Maryland New Voices law.
More than 150 student journalists from all 25 public high schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, sent an open letter today demanding their district comply with the state’s New Voices legislation after the release of an alarming memo that requires principals to read and approve every story before publication.
As Maryland celebrates 10 years of protecting student journalists from arbitrary censorship, a Student Press Law Center analysis found that most of the state’s school districts have student media policies that comply with its New Voices law.
SPLC joined the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) in sending a December 14 letter to Frostburg State University President Ronald Nowaczyk expressing concern after the university targeted a student journalist and directed the student newspaper to investigate and punish her. Read the full letter: https://splc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FIRE-and-SPLC-Letter-to-Frostburg-State-University-December-14-2020.pdf
Hillary Davis, SPLC’s New Voices Advocacy and Campaign Organizer, sits down and walks us through the New Voices movement in 2020. Find out what’s happening in your state and how you can get involved. Full Transcript Joe Severino: In January, state legislatures across the country will meet for the start of their 2020 lawmaking sessions,… Continue reading New Voices 2020 preview
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed into law Tuesday a bill designed to protect the free-speech rights of high school and college journalists, effective Oct. 1.
MARYLAND — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed into law Tuesday a bill designed to protect the free-speech rights of high school and college journalists. The new law, which goes into effect on October 1, will grant high school and college student journalists the ability to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media,… Continue reading Maryland New Voices press freedom bill signed into law
The state legislature gave final approval to a student press freedom bill this weekend, sending the anti-censorship legislation to the governor’s desk. On Saturday, the state Senate voted 37-9 to concur with the House amendments and give final approval to the legislation which would grant high school and college student journalists the ability to exercise… Continue reading Maryland legislature passes student press freedom bill
The bill, which would guarantee free speech protections to high school and college journalists, is now on the governor's desk.
