On October 16, 2014, supporters of a free and courageous student press from around the country will gather at the National Press Club to mark the SPLC’s 40 years of service to our shared priorities.
Marijuana still sensitive topic at many schools even as states move to legalize
Prompted by the legalization of recreational marijuana use in two states, students are more interested than ever in writing about the subject. Many, though, still encounter hurdles when reporting on the drug.
In interest of appearing united, some school boards limit members’ speech
When policies ask school board members to refer all questions to a sole member, it can make it difficult to find out information about the decisions the board is making, reporters say.
Censorship takes the stage: Topical plays draw criticism from officials
After administrators put student productions of “Rent,” “Sweeney Todd” on the chopping block due to sensitive subjects, students and dramatists push back, defending the importance of theater.
For education reporters, PR staff increasingly limit access to sources
Student and professional journalists alike report increasing difficulty when it comes to accessing sources. In response, college newspaper editors say they now teach their staff to have the ‘confidence’ to push back.
At FAU, student journalists report persistent difficulties accessing public records
Even simple records requests are held up by delays and high costs, say journalists at Florida Atlantic University. The problems have been worsening over the past few years, in particular for one student.
Tip Sheet: Covering campus discipline
Every year, colleges and universities report to the federal government how many students are referred for discipline for violating alcohol, drug and weapon violations. These statistics are often overshadowed by statistics that detail violent crimes, but as a Student Press Law Center review shows, disciplinary data can be a useful source for student reporters.
Uncertainty prevails as college newsrooms navigate health care law
The Affordable Care Act says employers must offer health insurance to employees who work more than 30 hours per week, prompting many universities to reconsider how student journalists are paid.
When it comes to social media, some old-school legal rules may not apply
In general, legal principles created with print publications in mind are also applicable to social media publishing — with some notable exceptions.