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
Thinking of reporting sex-related issues?
Some thoughts on handling controversy
At least two schools this winter have had issues with reporting about sex. Newbury Park High, California, and Rochester, Michigan, experienced complaints not only about the content but about images used in their coverage. An SPLC article published March 20 looks at both events and the resulting concerns, and is worth your reading. The article…
Websites should post policies, procedures, too
by Candace Bowen Including a mission statement and other policy points on the newspaper’s editorial page or inside a newsmag front cover is pretty standard, but where does that info go on a website? From recent experience judging state competitions, it seems some staffs really aren’t sure.
Check out our new Press Rights Minutes
JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Committee just added 10 new Press Rights Minutes, bringing the total to 30 available for class and activity use. Plans are to add more in the immediate future. Content includes 60 second audio clips on ethics and legal issues, including new pieces on handling sponsored content, creating balance and objectivity, using unnamed sources,…
Information worth class discussion
– and action
Looking for information concerning free expression to spark discussion? Consider these sites: • What’s the impact of overzealous Internet filtering http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/06/whats-the-impact-of-overzealous-internet-filtering-in-schools/ • Journalism and public shaming: some guidelines http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/326097/journalism-and-public-shaming-some-guidelines/ • Expulsion of two OK students over video leads to Free speech debate http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/us/expulsion-of-two-oklahoma-students-leads-to-free-speech-debate.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share&_r=0 • Sunshine Week 2015 ideas and activities from SPJ http://www.spj.org/sunshineweek.asp • Sunshine Week…
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.