Press Rights
JEA stands firmly behind student journalists’ press freedom. Where journalism students delve into the impact of such events as the invasion of the Capitol Jan. 6 and issues stemming from it, they create community engagement and understanding of journalistic responsibility, roles and values. Where the same students make final decisions of content without prior review and restraint, democracy’s ideals flourish and expand. We denounce all efforts to stifle student journalists, and we stand in solidarity with advisers who support them.
Constitution Day is Sept. 17
2025 Theme: Power to the People
The Scholastic Press Rights Committee has put together a set of activities and materials around the 2025 theme "Power to the People" for teachers to use in their classrooms this Constitution Day, Sept. 17. They range from full lesson plans to quick activities and ways to promote Constitution Day in your school community.
Press Rights Quick Links
Prior Review | Law-Ethics Manual | Key Cases | What Are Ethics | Tools of Truth
Ancillary: Supreme Court case facts
Supreme Court Case Facts Tinker v. Des Moines (1969): http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1968/1968_21/ Bethel v. Fraser (1986): http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1985/1985_84_1667 Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1989): http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1987/1987_86_836
Ancillary: Teaching student First Amendment rights
Teaching Student First Amendment Rights Determine the best method of teaching either Morse or all four major Supreme Court cases dealing with first amendment rights. The staff could create a handout, a website, a podcast, or an editorial or other feature for the publication itself. To determine the best medium, consider the following questions: Who…
Ancillary: Articles for broadly interpreted cases
Articles for Broadly Interpreted Cases Miller v. Penn Manor School District (2008) Case decision: http://www.paed.uscourts.gov/documents/opinions/08D1173P.pdf SPLC analysis: http://www.splc.org/blog/splc/2009/12/beverly-hills-speech-cop-ii-surprise-youre-suspended http://www.splc.org/article/2014/11/due-process-claims (No Fair Notice section) Ponce v. Socorro Independent School District (2007) Case decision: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1146285.html SPLC analysis: http://www.splc.org/article/2007/11/5th-circuit-upholds-texas-schools-punishment-of-student-who-wrote-violent-story http://www.splc.org/multimedia/278 (Podcast) Nuxoll v. Indian Prairie School District #204 (2008) Case decision: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1317185.html SPLC analysis: http://www.splc.org/article/2008/04/student-can-wear-be-happy-not-gay-t-shirt-in-time-for-protests http://www.splc.org/article/2007/05/illinois-court-rules-students-cannot-wear-anti-gay-t-shirt http://www.splc.org/article/2011/03/appeals-court-upholds-students-right-to-wear-be-happy-not-gay-shirts Boim…
Ancillary teaching materials
Use these materials to fill out the lessons. • Limits on scholastic journalism • Articles for broadly interpreted cases • Teaching student First Amendment rights • Supreme Court case facts • Rubrics • Role playing • Morse persuasive letter • Media manual statement • Anticipation guide • District & Appeals Court decisions citing Morse v. Frederick Return…
Need help with a censorship issue? You found it.
If you are a JEA member or students of a JEA member who need assistance concerning censorship issues, use the panic button below to generate an online form to explain your situation. This will go to a Scholastic Press Rights Committee member who will assist you quickly and notify others in your state so they can offer assistance. This outreach capability is a direct result of JEA’s Adviser Assistance Program and is designed to combat censorship issues advisers and students might face.