HB 2918, a New Voices bill aimed at curbing arbitrary censorship of the state’s student journalists, was amended in March to include language that likely would lead to the opposite result. The amended bill awaits a full vote on the House floor, but advocates now hope it never receives one.
Student journalists, educators and other advocates of student journalism, including an attorney from the Student Press Law Center, testified Feb. 11 at a hearing of Missouri’s House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education in support of HB 2918.
Advocate Kellen Hoard shares accomplishments and lessons learned during the 2024 legislative season.
On February 28, student journalists and other supporters of student press freedom testified in the Missouri Senate Progress and Development Committee in support of SB1099, which would establish the Cronkite New Voices Act to protect freedom of the press in school-sponsored media. Students who testified included Anna Colletto, a 2023 Student Press Freedom Day co-chair.… Continue reading SPLC submits testimony on Missouri New Voices bill