SPLC and the New England First Amendment Coalition call on schools to protect speech, press rights

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The Student Press Law Center and the New England First Amendment Coalition are calling on public school administrators across New England to protect the speech and press rights of students as they return to class this fall.

SPLC & seven groups send Letter of Concern to police chief and mayor of Richmond, Va. over mistreatment of journalists covering protests

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The Student Press Law Center, joined by seven press freedom and First Amendment groups, has sent the following Letter of Concern in response to repeated clashes between officers of the Richmond Police Department and journalists covering protests for racial justice this summer. In recent months, journalists, including several college journalists, have been pepper sprayed, tear… Continue reading SPLC & seven groups send Letter of Concern to police chief and mayor of Richmond, Va. over mistreatment of journalists covering protests

SPLC, joined by 28 orgs and individuals, sends letter of concern to N. Paulding High School admin and school board over free speech restrictions

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On August 7, the Student Press Law Center sent a letter of concern signed by 28 national organizations and individuals to the principal of North Paulding High School, the district superintendent and the school board. (See the full list of signatures below the letter.) See the letter as a PDF Mr. Gabe Carmona, PrincipalNorth Paulding… Continue reading SPLC, joined by 28 orgs and individuals, sends letter of concern to N. Paulding High School admin and school board over free speech restrictions

The Student Press Law Center condemns the suspension of Georgia students for posting photos of their crowded school during COVID-19

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For immediate release: Aug. 6, 2020 For more information: Diana Mitsu Klos, 202-728-7267; dmk@splc.org Download the statement as a PDF The Student Press Law Center condemns in the strongest terms the reported suspensions of at least two students at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia who posted photos and a video on social media… Continue reading The Student Press Law Center condemns the suspension of Georgia students for posting photos of their crowded school during COVID-19

SPLC statement on supporting Black journalists and dismantling systemic racism

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"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”– Ida B. Wells, The Light of Truth: Writings of an Anti-Lynching Crusader Black Lives Matter. The stories of Black lives matter. The telling of those stories and objective reporting of those truths matter. The Student Press Law Center stands by the efforts of Black… Continue reading SPLC statement on supporting Black journalists and dismantling systemic racism

The Student Press Law Center condemns the attack on Ohio State University student journalists who were covering protests

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The Student Press Law Center, joined by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and the College Media Association, condemns the attack on student journalists from Ohio State University who were covering a protest in Columbus on June 1. Journalists from The Lantern were lawfully covering a protest taking place adjacent to the campus. Confronted… Continue reading The Student Press Law Center condemns the attack on Ohio State University student journalists who were covering protests

Student Press Law Center condemns arrest of CNN crew in Minneapolis as an affront to U.S. democracy and example of racial bias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2020 Contact: Diana Mitsu Klos, director of engagement (202) 728-7267/ dmk@splc.org Download the statement as a PDF The Student Press Law Center condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of CNN journalist Omar Jimenez and his crew in Minneapolis during a live broadcast early this morning, Friday, May 29. Jimenez was… Continue reading Student Press Law Center condemns arrest of CNN crew in Minneapolis as an affront to U.S. democracy and example of racial bias

PRESS RELEASE: Virginia expands college press freedom protections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2020 Contact: Hillary Davis, New Voices Advocacy and Campaign Organizerhdavis@splc.org Governor Ralph Northam has signed legislation codifying press freedom protections for student journalists at colleges and universities and protecting college media advisers from retaliation for refusing to infringe upon those protections. Sponsored by Delegate Chris Hurst, HB36 ensures that student journalists… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Virginia expands college press freedom protections