It has been a turbulent year in the courts for student journalism, with a number of decided and ongoing cases that could have long-lasting implications for student press freedom and beyond. The Student Press Law Center reviews where eight of these cases stand right now.
Some public access advocates are worried that the bill simply echoes the requirements set by the federal Clery Act instead of advancing transparency in private universities' police forces.
Sen. John Whitmire proposed a bill on Jan. 15 to amend the Texas Education Code to require police departments at private colleges to follow the state’s public records law just like other law enforcement agencies. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, which has not yet set a date for a public hearing.
ESPN has filed suit against the University of Notre Dame, alleging the private institution violated Indiana’s public records law when it withheld police incident reports about student athletes.
With its legendary football and basketball teams struggling, the hottest\nticket in South Bend this year might be to the meetings between the\nObserver, Notre Dame's student newspaper, and university officials.