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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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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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…

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What’s old is still new: Hamilton Federalist essay No. 84

Hawaii is the sixteenth state to pass New Voices protection recently. The task to protect all student news media is not new and is unfinished. The signing in Hawaii is a huge success, but there is still a long way to go. Today’s students represent a new generation, but their voices aren’t new – they’re…

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Supporting advisers, celebrating successes 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. As JEA’s scholastic press rights director, I speak with many people…

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Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School Policy Statement of Policy on Student Media

The Lion’s Tale – Press Rights Protocol I. Introduction/Statement of Policy Freedom of expression and press freedom are fundamental values in a democratic society. As an educational institution committed to preparing engaged and responsible citizens, the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School believes in teaching students these values, both by lesson and by example.  CESJDS…

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Journalism teachers: Start 2022 with a scholastic press rights refresh

The first few weeks of a new semester provide an important reset or blank slate. After a challenging fall for advisers, your goal may be to revisit scholastic press rights topics and do more with law and ethics training, especially if the past few months of reteaching and rebuilding called for massive shifts in your…

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New Jersey becomes 15th New Voices state

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed into law S108, making New Jersey the 15th state to adopt New Voices legislation restoring and protecting student press freedom. The Student Press Law Center, the Garden State Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association commend the New Jersey legislature and Governor Murphy for their unanimous support…

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Transparency helps keep air in the balloon

Al McGuire, the late basketball coach at Marquette University, used to remind folks that championship basketball wasn’t all “seashells and balloons.” I suppose you could apply that to just about anything – life, final exams, losing a close game or even journalism. No matter how many laws are passed, policies adopted and awards won, getting…

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