NEW YORK - Supporters for student press freedoms descended on the New York statehouse in Albany on April 30 to raise the profile on a measure to protect the First Amendment rights of high school journalists who attend public schools. The identical “New Voices” bills in the state Assembly (A03079) and Senate (S02297) — called… Continue reading New Voices supporters flood New York statehouse, push lawmakers for progress on bill
Tag: new voices
Texas New Voices bill gets first hearing in state Senate
UPDATE: A New Voices bill got its first hearing in Texas’ upper chamber in Austin on April 23, marking another first for the New Voices movement in the Lone Star state. The hearing for SB514 was marked by strong testimony and skepticism from some senators on the Senate Education Committee. Texas Senator José Rodríguez, a… Continue reading Texas New Voices bill gets first hearing in state Senate
For second time this session, Arkansas puts more student media protections into law
UPDATE: Protections for Arkansas student journalists were again expanded this year after amendments to the 1995 Student Publications Act were signed by the governor. HB1432, now Act 912, was signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson during the week of April 8 and makes several incremental changes to the decades-old law. The law now covers all school-sponsored… Continue reading For second time this session, Arkansas puts more student media protections into law
Nebraska New Voices legislation not likely to pass in 2019, but there is optimism about the future
March 26, 2019 A New Voices bill in Nebraska will likely not make it to the governor’s desk this year. Advocates, and staff for Sen. Adam Morfeld who is sponsoring LB206, said the bill has successfully passed through legislative committees and is on the floor of the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. But largely due to timing,… Continue reading Nebraska New Voices legislation not likely to pass in 2019, but there is optimism about the future
Minnesota’s New Voices bill set to advance in House, faces rougher waters in Senate
MINNESOTA - A New Voices bill that would protect student journalists in grades six through 12 is making its way to the House floor of the Minnesota Statehouse. The bill, HF1868, was first introduced four years ago. It took a change of party control in the House, and the bill’s author becoming chair of the… Continue reading Minnesota’s New Voices bill set to advance in House, faces rougher waters in Senate
PODCAST: New Voices advocates talk struggles and successes
Subscribe to SPLC podcasts on iTunes
Cory Dawson: Since 1988, student reporters have lived under a Supreme Court ruling that gives school administrators vast control over what goes into their school’s newspapers. Since then, students, advocates and media advisers have worked to put press freedoms for student journalists into law by passing New Voices laws in 14 states. These laws protect… Continue reading PODCAST: New Voices advocates talk struggles and successes
A record number of states have introduced New Voices bills in 2019
More bills protecting the First Amendment rights of student journalists are moving through statehouses than ever before, according to a Student Press Law Center tally. The 11 bills are part of a nationwide effort to pass “New Voices” bills in state legislatures, which effectively counteract and clarify the limits of the 1988 Hazelwood School District… Continue reading A record number of states have introduced New Voices bills in 2019
House lawmakers ‘fast-tracking’ Missouri New Voices bill in 2019
Feb. 13, 2019 UPDATE: Missouri’s New Voices bill passed a key House committee vote on Wednesday, Feb. 13. HB 743 passed unanimously in executive session, with all twelve committee members supporting it, House General Laws committee Vice Chairman Jered Taylor (R-District 139) said in a text message. The vote moves the bill to the House… Continue reading House lawmakers ‘fast-tracking’ Missouri New Voices bill in 2019
Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain
ARKANSAS — An Arkansas school district drew national criticism after it apparently broke state law by censoring the paper and halting its publication. The district also announced it would implement prior review. Springdale Public Schools backtracked and allowed online publication of the censored story and editorial, but significant obstacles remain unresolved. The Student Press Law… Continue reading Arkansas high school paper republishes censored story, but prior review and threat to adviser’s job remain
Vermont high school students use New Voices law to win censorship dispute
VERMONT — Student journalists at Burlington High School used the state’s New Voices law to successfully fight back against censorship and prevent the reinstatement of a prior review policy. On Sept. 10, the BHS Register was the first to report about an investigation by the Vermont Agency of Education focused on the school’s director of guidance, Mario Macias.… Continue reading Vermont high school students use New Voices law to win censorship dispute