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
SCSPA creates new way to fight censorship; good SJW model for others to follow
by Phillip Caston, Chairman, SCSPA Executive Board This year, the S.C. Scholastic Press Association has set a new goal of fighting for the cause of the free press in scholastic journalism. For too long, scholastic publications and organizations have been on the defensive when it comes to misapplications of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. In South Carolina, we believe…
Proclaiming Scholastic Journalism Week
Looking for another way to support Scholastic Journalism Week? Obtain a proclamation from your community officials about it and the importance of scholastic journalism. Adviser Stan Zoller, Rolling Meadows High in Illinois, wrote this for his community. It would be easy to modify it to meet the requirements of your community: WHEREAS, Scholastic journalism has…
Building stronger reporting practices
As teachers prepare for Scholastic Journalism Week and look for special lessons, articles from the Committee of Concerned Journalists could lead to lessons or teaching activities. Any or all of the concepts mentioned in the articles could lead to stronger reporting and practices. As too many advisers and journalism programs have learned, it is not…
The problem with teasing the news
When is using teasers bad news sense? When they become the news, rather than deliver it. At least that’s the argument Poynter makes when it reinforces the blog Journalistics regarding last week’s change in Zodiac signs. It’s a lesson in ethics scholastic journalists could examine as they decide how to use social media to inform…
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.