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.
Press Rights Quick Links
Prior Review | Law-Ethics Manual | Key Cases | What Are Ethics | Tools of Truth
Fond du Lac English department
posts support for students
in censorship fight
Fond du Lac (WI) High’s English department has submitted a statement supporting student journalists and advocating the need for an open forum for student expression at their school. Student journalists there have been in a prior review and restraint battle with school officials over a story on rape, called “Rape Joke.” Kettle Moraine Press Association…
Court ruling may give
new meaning to ‘open mic’
by Stan Zoller The ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court that strikes down the state statute prohibiting the recording of conversations without permission may not be the panacea a lot of people are hoping for. The Chicago Tribune reports the statute was considered among the strictest in the country. The Court said loud conversations in…
Noteworthy views and events
on student expression questions
Three recent incidents involving censorship make for interesting reading. Students, and advisers, can learn that not everyone agrees with such actions and that the best remedy for censorship is vigilance. New Jersey – A local columnist sides with the students in censorship of story about students smoking cigarettes • This policy needs a rewrite •…
Let the Sunshine in
by Stan Zoller In the musical “Hair,” they sang about letting the sunshine in. John Denver sang about sunshine on his shoulders. Next week journalists will be heralding sunshine not because Spring is (supposedly) around the corner but because it’s the ninth annual “Sunshine Week,” a week dedicate to ensuring open and transparent government. According…
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.