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
Celebrating Constitution Day
Title Celebrating Constitution Day at your school. Description Host a school-wide Constitution Day at school by combining the efforts of the social studies, English and journalism teachers. Objectives • Students will learn more about the Constitution • Students will explore how the Constitution fits with their daily lives • Students will revisit the rights guaranteed…
Limits to taking a stance
in front page design?
Title What are the limits to showing support/opposition of timely events or issues in design elements on news pages? Description Was it OK for student newspaper to Rainbow Filter its Twitter profile pic? Student journalists have always been taught standards of objectivity. The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on same sex marriage led at least…
Join us Aug. 31 to learn more about Constitution Day
Need Constitution Day celebration ideas? Join us Aug. 31 at 7 CDT as we highlight several ways to celebrate. Here’s where it will take place: http://bit.ly/1fX9OHd Members of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Committee will lead the session. So far, we have Lori Keekley, Jeff Kocur, Chris Waugaman and John Bowen. That’s 7 p.m. CDT, Aug. 31, at…
Additional WDBJ case studies available from Newseum
In addition to the lessons and activities already posted on this site, we would recommend the Newseum’s educational case studies for additional questions and looks at tough decisions journalists, including those on the scholastic level, sometimes face. Our thanks to Maggie Crawford, Senior Education Manager for making information about this resource available.
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.