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
Lesson: Should media re-air a broadcast
in which two people are killed?
Title Should media re-air a broadcast in which two people are gunned down? Description Students will examine how to examine ethics of re-airing this broadcast using Poynter’s 10 questions to make good ethical choices. Objectives Students will collaboratively work through questions to help them make a decision involving journalism ethics. Students will decide what they…
Virginia shooting aired live,
coverage offers timely discussions
The shooting deaths of two journalists today and the wounding of a third person in Virginia creates possible lessons for scholastic media classrooms. Ethics: Should other media repeat the video of the actual shooting? The shooting was broadcast live. Students could discuss the reasons for and against repeating the shooting and develop ethical guidelines for…
Finding pieces of the puzzle
that is scholastic media
Looking for the pieces to the journalistic puzzle a new year of student media will bring? Here are some pieces that might help: • Use of the Panic Button can help with legal or ethical issues. • Constitution Day materials available around the first of September. Congress mandated schools must provide lessons and activities on…
Scenario practice
Scenarios for guidelines or procedures: Scenario 1 The sports editor and the features have been dating for eight months. However, the sports editor has now showed an interest in the news editor. The features editor is devastated and a dramatic break up happens in the middle of the publications office. The sports and news editors…
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.