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
Satire: Easy to confuse when used without context
by Tom Gayda Aw, satire. So fun and entertaining when done well. How many times have I been taken aback for a second by an Onion headline? More than I care to share! Satire can be very powerful when done with purpose, but satire for the sake of satire often falls flat. My students are…
Following – and creating –
New Voices in the land
New Voices campaigns, inspired by the successful John Wall New Voices Act of North Dakota, continue to grow across the country. Developed by journalism students and advisers and supported by scholastic journalism organizations, these groups want to give voice to student journalists by creating legislative reform. So far, five states have established campaigns and many more…
Apply for First Amendment recognition
Applications are now available for this year’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award (FAPFA). In its 16th year, FAPFA recognition is designed to identify and recognize high schools that actively support and protect First Amendment rights of their students and teachers. The honor focuses on press freedoms. The application can be completed by using a SurveyGizmo form. Deadline for submission…
Celebrate Free Speech Week,
show it means something real
Free Speech Week starts Monday, Oct. 19 and continues through Oct. 25. Let’s show the nation it means something to scholastic journalism, its students and advisers. According to information from the its website, Free Speech Week (FSW) is a yearly event to raise public awareness of the importance of free speech in our democracy- and to celebrate that…
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.