2024 First Amendment Press Freedom Award applications open with revised process for 2023 recipients

The First Amendment Press Freedom Award recognizes private and public high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities of students and teachers, with an emphasis on student-run media where students make all final decisions of content. The purpose of the award is to celebrate all schools who support their students’ First Amendment rights — it is not a competition. 

To ensure schools truly support their students’ press freedom, the regular application process is comprehensive and happens in two rounds. In the first round, an adviser and lead student editor or news manager on one publication each submit an application. If they pass this round, they move on to Round Two, during which every media adviser, one lead editor from each publication and an administrator complete an application. Both rounds are assessed by a panel of judges from JEA, NSPA and Quill & Scroll.

To streamline the process for last year’s recipients, 2023 recipients will follow a different application path. In Round One, one adviser from the program will complete an application. If none of the media advisers and lead administrator have changed from the previous year, the school will move on to a streamlined second round, in which an adviser, administrator and one student editor complete a revised Round Two application. However, if media advisers or the lead administrator have changed, the school will revert to the normal second round process. 

Questions? The FAPFA page has two short explainer videos that should clear up the difference between the two paths, and a link to both Round One applications.

Why should you apply?