For World Press Freedom Day, the Student Press Law Center and PEN America co-sponsored a panel discussion at the UNESCO Global Conference.
As an organization which supports, promotes and defends the First Amendment and freedom of expression rights of student journalists in the United States, the Student Press Law Center unequivocally condemns the raid on the offices of DOXA, a Moscow-based magazine run by student journalists from various universities
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
Student journalists covering nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and systemic racism are being met with unprecedented pushback from law enforcement. According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, there have been more than 440 reported aggressions against the press — including high school and college journalists — covering public protests in at least 140 cities across… Continue reading Student journalists covering protests face unprecedented violence from police
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
Student press-rights legislation won unanimous approval in the Vermont Senate and in key committees in Indiana and Washington. Bills modeled on the New Voices of North Dakota Act are progressing in five states, and being prepared in several others.
Maryland becomes the 10th state with heightened statutory protection for student journalists, and one of the few to expressly protect journalism educators against retaliation.
NEW JERSEY— State legislators have re-introduced a bill that would prohibit school districts and public universities from authorizing prior restraint of school-sponsored media. Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Gail Phoebus, R-Sussex, and Assemblyman Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, the legislation aims to protect students from administrative censorship. The bill was originally introduced by an outgoing assemblywoman near the end… Continue reading Bill protecting students’ press rights re-introduced to NJ Assembly
One of the nation's strongest laws protecting the independence of high school journalism is on its way to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk after the state House gave its final approval Tuesday. HB 5902 passed the House 117-0 after its sponsor, Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, asked his colleagues to accept Senate-approved amendments that paved the… Continue reading Student press freedom bill bound for Illinois governor’s desk
A bill protecting high school journalists' independence, and shielding their advisers against retaliation, needs only a concurring House vote to reach Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk.
