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
Policy sets standards and staff manuals
ethically carry them out
by John Bowen It’s 3 p.m. Friday, and the final deadline is in four hours. At issue is a package covering a controversial subject of growing importance in the community. The staff is divided. Some want to publish the story because it is controversial, important and will create needed community discussion. Others say there has…
Recording sources during interviews
Ethical guidelines It may be legal in some states to record sources during an interview without their permission, but ethically, journalists always should ask permission to record an interview. Staff manual process Members of the editorial board should develop a procedure for recording sources. Suggestions Statements may include the following guidelines: • Always ask a…
Allowing sources to preview content before publication
Ethical guidelines Sources do not have the right to review materials prior to publication. Allowing sources to preview content at any stage of production raises serious ethical and journalistic practice questions. Staff manual process Student editors should develop a position on prior review requests and ensure all staff understand the process for addressing such a…
Email and texting: digital information-gathering
Ethical guidelines Journalists should conduct interviews and gather information in person as often as possible. Because it is sometimes necessary to use electronic methods such as email and text messaging, students should make clear their identity and intentions openly and professionally before using these methods. Staff manual process Students should understand that face-to-face interviews offer the…
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.