Students across the US “Unmute Themselves” for 4th annual Student Press Freedom Day

A young woman stands among protesters taking photos with a DSLR Camera. The biggest sign says "Defund CCPD."
Student photojournalist Kathryn Skeean raises her camera to make photographs during a Black Lives Matter protest in Athens, Georgia on June 2, 2020. [Photo by: Taylor McKenzie Gerlach]

On Feb. 24 student journalists and national press freedom organizations across the United States stood up and celebrated Student Press Freedom Day. Embracing the theme of โ€œUnmute Yourself,โ€ students and allies across the country did just that. Student Press Freedom Day is an annual nationwide event that recognizes student journalists, raises awareness of challenges facing… Continue reading Students across the US “Unmute Themselves” for 4th annual Student Press Freedom Day

New York Students โ€˜Callโ€™ for Student Press Freedom

Carolyn Heckle โ€“ a junior at Corning-Painted Post High School in Corning, New York โ€“ understands the importance of a free press and the power of a phone call. She and her classmates conducted a phone banking effort to advocate for student press freedom through the New York Student Journalist Free Speech Act. The law… Continue reading New York Students โ€˜Callโ€™ for Student Press Freedom

SPLC ensures Washington New Voices bill effectively protects studentsโ€™ rights

The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) began an on-ground initiative in Washington to implement the New Voices bill in order to ensure that students, advisers and administrators know their rights and how they must support free press under the law. Want to get involved with New Voices?New Voices is a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of… Continue reading SPLC ensures Washington New Voices bill effectively protects studentsโ€™ rights

Hawaii and West Virginia are taking steps to protect student press freedom

New Voices logo

What do Hawaii and West Virginia have in common? They both took huge steps toward restoring and protecting student press freedom on February 3, when legislative committees in both states recommended New Voices legislation for passage. Students in both states testified remotely before their representative Education committees, highlighting both the stories they have been able… Continue reading Hawaii and West Virginia are taking steps to protect student press freedom

New Jersey Becomes 15th New Voices State

The Student Press Law Center commends the State of New Jersey and Gov. Phil Murphy for their recent passage and yesterdayโ€™s signing of S108, โ€œNew Voicesโ€ legislation to restore and protect the press freedom of New Jerseyโ€™s student journalists. New Jersey is the 15th state to adopt such legislation.

New Jersey passes law protecting student press freedom

white logo saying SPLC and Student Press Law Center on a bright blue background

For immediate release: June 24, 2021For more information: Hillary Davis | hdavis@splc.org The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) commends the New Jersey legislature for passing A169 / S108, legislation to restore and protect the press freedom of New Jerseyโ€™s student journalists. SPLC calls on Governor Murphy to sign the legislation, at which time New Jersey will become… Continue reading New Jersey passes law protecting student press freedom

Teens rally to โ€˜Stand for Speechโ€™ in NYC

Teens for Press Freedom, New Voices New York, and the Student Press Law Center hosted a rally in support of New Yorkโ€™s Student Journalist Free Speech Act. Teens for Press Freedom, New Voices New York, PEN America, Student Press Law Center, and approximately 40 high school students gathered in New York City to advocate for… Continue reading Teens rally to โ€˜Stand for Speechโ€™ in NYC