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
Using online legal resources
Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: by Chris Waugaman Three primary Common Core state standards addressed (see https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy ) • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text…
The decision to report: Because you can, does that mean you should?
Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package. The whole package can be seen here: http://jeasprc.org/constitution-day-2013-teaching-materials-and-lessons/ by Jeff Kocur Objective: For students to explore ethical situations using the TUFF formula as described in the lesson. This unit focuses possible discussion points for inclusion in editorial policies. Primary Common Core: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1 Secondary Common…
Reporting sharks in the subway: Evaluating the credibility factor
Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 5. Lesson plan: Reporting sharks in the subway: evaluating the credibility factor In this lesson, students will examine several leads on a common topic and evaluate the use of sources, facts and the value of the news itself. Summative evaluation tool: Class…
Checking your sources, evaluating and verifying them
Part of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission’s Constitution Day lessons and activity package: 4. LESSON PLAN: Quick hits: Checking your sources, evaluating and verifying them In this lesson, students will complete a quick exercise in which they attempt to check a publication’s sources, evaluating and verifying them. The discussion will lead toward the development of…
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.