SPLC is deeply concerned by the unusual and harmful comments and steps taken by The Hilltop’s staff adviser to restrict student journalists
The Student Press Law Center is concerned about censorship at Howard University’s The Hilltop
Tag: student press freedom
SPLC urges Tennessee to protect student media from investigation
The Student Press Law Center has submitted formal comments to the Tennessee Department of Education urging it to amend draft regulations implementing the state’s new ban on so-called “prohibited concepts" to ensure that student journalists will not be penalized under the new law. The SPLC has called upon Commissioner of Education Dr. Penny Schwinn to… Continue reading SPLC urges Tennessee to protect student media from investigation
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
Virginia Education Committee guts New Voices legislation with a major amendment, leaving high school journalists unprotected
UPDATE: The Virginia House Education Committee passed an amended version of HB 36 that did not include free speech protections for middle and high school journalists on Monday, Feb. 3. Hillary Davis, Student Press Law Center's New Voices advocacy and campaign organizer, said the Virginia New Voices coalition hopes the legislature will decide to hold… Continue reading Virginia Education Committee guts New Voices legislation with a major amendment, leaving high school journalists unprotected
Student and professional journalists write op-eds for Student Press Freedom Day
In 2019, nearly 70 student newsrooms wrote editorials as part of the Year of the Student Journalist. For Student Press Freedom Day, we've relaunched the op-ed campaign for pieces on the importance of student press freedom. High school, college and professional journalists are answering the call. Don't see your name on the list below? Email Danielle Dieterich… Continue reading Student and professional journalists write op-eds for Student Press Freedom Day
Start spreadin' the news, New York's considering a student press freedom bill
A New York legislator, inspired by visiting a hometown high-school newsroom, proposes legislation to protect the independence of student journalists. But consideration is unlikely until 2018, with the legislative session winding down for the year.
Censorship, eh? Two student newspapers in Canada face threats
Two Canadian student newspapers are fighting back after threats of censorship this month. At one, a student government group wants to kick the newspaper out of its offices, and at another, campus administrators seek a ruling that would allow them to ignore the students' current and future requests for public records.The editor of The Gazette, the University of Western Ontario’s independent student newspaper, learned a few weeks ago that the newspaper's editorial office would be turned into a prayer room. The proposal came after the University Students’ Council began an extensive review of The Gazette’s practices. According to the newspaper's reports, it was after this review that the paper learned that its editorial office of 40 years would be converted into a new multi-faith room in response to what the committee referenced as concerns from those who use the current prayer room.The proposed move would put Gazette staff members in a space that is more than 700 square feet smaller than the current office.
Press Freedom in Practice
Press Freedom in Practice
A Manual for Advisers Responding to Censorship
Student Press Law Center
Published by the Newspaper Association of America Foundation
In the eyes of most journalism educators, the negative effects of censorship on students, advisers and communities are very real.