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
Educate others about journalism’s role, skills for our future
Tweet-22 Educate others about journalism’s role, skills for our future. #25HZLWD http://www.jeasprc.org/tweet22-educate-others Journalism and democracy were born together. Democracy cannot long exist without an active and professional journalism program. But today’s journalistic role has changed. We can no longer just deliver information. We must make sense of the world and also help citizens make sense of…
Lessons on ‘things we did not want them to know’ result in successful action against censors
by Gloria Olman Hazelwood stories: Twenty-five years before the Hazelwood Supreme Court decision, I was defending students’ right to publish on topics from a teacher strike to locker searches and letters to the editor. “I will defend your right to publish all the way to the Supreme Court, but it will be on a serious matter,…
Hazelwood is everyone’s problem
by Carrie Faust Hazelwood stories: Since the Supreme Court voted to limit the rights of scholastic journalists with the Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier decision in 1988, Colorado – and six other states – have enacted legislation to ensure the rights of students in those states would not be affected. Ideally, because some state laws can trump…
Tweet20: Don’t fight censorship alone: Share with others
Report censorship and share your stories about the legal and ethical problems you face. #25HZLWD http://jeasprc.org/tweet20-dont-fight-censorship-alone-share-with-others Those who face censorship or restraints on their ability to publish factual, truthful and accurate information should know they are not alone. The SPLC has its legal assistance network, the Journalism Education Association has its Panic Button and its…
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.