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West Virginia makes it 17 New Voices states

West Virginia became the seventeenth state to pass New Voices legislation March 23. The new law, The Student Journalist Press Freedom Act, goes into effect June 9, 2023. In a March 24 press release, the Student Press Law Center indicated a key part of the law ensures that high school and college students determine the…

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Be Bold on Student Press Freedom Day

Today is Student Press Freedom Day, a national day of action when student journalists in the United States raise awareness of the challenges they face, celebrate their contributions to their schools and communities, and take actions to protect and restore their First Amendment freedoms. The theme this year is Bold Journalism, Brave Advocacy. I can’t…

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Student journalists can tackle current, key issues

For 19 days now, Ohioans anywhere near East Palestine, a town with close to 4,700 residents near the Pennsylvania state line, tried to grasp the Norfolk Southern train’s derailment impact on their futures and those of their town. Today, Feb. 22, Northern Ohioans and others in the proximity of railroad tracks, might have reason to…

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Watchdog Journalism: Learn About the Better Government Association (BGA)

Watchdog reporting can make a difference. When you think of watchdog reporting, chances are you’ll think of mainstream media – The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, etc. Don’t however, look past non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing transparency in government. The BGA staff includes a number of outstanding and award-winning journalists who do more than…

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When the New Voices Law becomes a liabullyity

Victory is sweet. Whether on the football field, baseball field, soccer field or in the legislature. It’s always great to win one for the ‘Gipper’ – or whomever. When it comes to New Voices laws, the victors are student journalists. In those states where New Voices laws have been passed, scholastic journalism programs are experiencing…

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Make time for the First Amendment

December is a busy month, I know. And things still feel slower and more difficult than our pre-pandemic student media operations. But that’s all the more reason to invest the time to discuss and apply for the First Amendment Press Freedom Award before the Dec. 15 deadline. Don’t underestimate your eligibility or feel like you “haven’t done…

Apply by Dec. 15 for national First Amendment recognition for student media and school

Schools, even if honored before with the First Amendment Press Freedom Award, must re-apply each year If you feel your school actively supports and honors the First Amendment through its student media, consider submitting an entry for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award. The two round award looks at the entire student media program and…

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The First Amendment: A lesson from Tereza

Tereza is from the Czech Republic. Being somewhat unabashed, I quickly showed her the First Amendment printed on the back of the shirt. Her reaction? “That’s cool.” Imagine that, a young adult from a country with a history of political strife and dictatorships, thinks the First Amendment is cool. Moreso, she probably realized how important the five freedoms are…

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Constitution Day 2022

JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Committee hopes to help you and your students celebrate their free speech rights this year. Constitution Day, observed Sept. 17 each year in commemoration of the signing of the United States Constitution, is an excellent time to do it. We have a quick court cases-review crossword to help you and your…

Crossword Puzzle Key: First Amendment cases

Crossword Puzzle: Ten First Amendment Court Cases

Across 3. Reaffirmed that public universities cannot punish students for indecent or offensive speech that does not disrupt campus order or interfere with the rights of others. Justice Abe Fortas stated that it “can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse…

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Rethinking journalism as it enters a period of transition, including accuracy and truth

Given the extraordinary events of the past three years, and ones now historically burnt into community memory, student journalists’ assignment sheets must now develop new concepts of story value and focus … from context to what local means in coverage With a new school year come new friends, opportunities and responsibilities. Some are memorable, at least…