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Showcase principles of Constitution Day,
apply for this year’s FAPFA Awards

Constitution Day focused student journalists on power of free expression for scholastic media. Your students can continue to recognize the importance of First Amendment practices and policies – and be recognized for it – by applying for this year’s FAPFA award. This First Amendment Press Freedom Award recognizes high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and responsibilities…

The importance of student free expression
and widespread information on legislation

As journalism teachers, we know our students learn more when they make publication choices. Prior review or restraint does not teach students to produce higher quality journalism. As journalism teachers, we know the only way to teach students to take responsibility for their decisions is to give them the responsibility to make those decisions freely….

Introduction to 2016 Constitution Day materials … and more

Constitution Day lessons, activities and related materials In preparation for Constitution Day 2016, several members of the Scholastic Press Rights Committee (SPRC), a committee of the Journalism Education Association, created lesson plans specific for the event. We suggest celebrating Sept. 16 since the official Constitution Day is Saturday this year. We created these lessons to help celebrate…

Terms connected with
student free press legislation

Terms concerning free expression legislation Prior review is the practice of school administrators – or anyone in a position of authority outside the editorial staff – demanding that they be allowed to read (or preview) copy prior to publication and/or distribution. Prior review itself is a form of prior restraint. It inevitably leads the reviewer…

Free expression sample press release

Sample press release Another option for letting your various communities know about the benefits of free expression legislation is to create a press release to media, civic groups, school board and others. Rather than trying to create a cookie-cutter press release version, we thought we would create a model sample where points from our legislative…

Student free expression resources

Comments from an administrator on the importance of student free expression SPRC Foundations package (mission, policy, ethics, manual) JEA Adviser Code of Ethics Press Rights Minute Seeking to cure the Hazelwood Blues Constitution Day lessons and activities

Talking Points about student free expression

Talking Points and terminology related to free expression legislation With legislation giving students decision-making power over their student media comes questions about roles, purpose and standards. If the school cannot make content decisions who is responsible? What is the role of the adviser? Of students? If the adviser cannot control content, what guidelines will students…

Tips for reaching out to communities
for info on student free expression

Steps students and advisers can use to help others understand the importance and need for student and free student expression With new legislation, or attempts to pass it, comes the need for ways to engage those who would support it. The ways can run from concept to concrete and can be delivered in many approaches…

What to do if school officials
threaten censorship after legislation

What to do if school officials threaten censorship Even though state legislation can provide protection, sometimes others do not understand that and need further education. Use a friendly and informative approach and help them understand. Here are some steps we recommend. Share a copy of the law and explain the language and meanings in educational civic…

What is media role
during election campaigns?

What is the role of media during election campaigns? Description  Students will design ethical guidelines they can use this fall and in later coverage (reporting and viewpoint) of elections, candidates and issues. Students will work on the following questions: What makes comprehensive reporting about an election, a candidate or political issues? How would students achieve…

Political Correctness and Free Speech

Political Correctness and Free Speech Description Students examine the gray area between political correctness and free speech through peer discussion and real-world examples. Objectives Students will understand the meaning and connotation of “politically correct” in different contexts. Students will examine the relationship between offensive language and free speech. Students will evaluate the power of language…

Our right to comment

Our right to comment Description Since media organizations have moved to online formats, they have struggled with the practice of hosting online comments next to their content. Many news organizations require posters to meet specific standards, moderate the comments, and reserve the right to remove or delete comments and users. Some organizations even require each…