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
Copyright mistakes, one more time
For another good look at what constitutes common copyright errors, look at the latest 10,000 Words by Mark S. Luckie. A tip of the Tweet to Poynter’s Ellyn Angelotti.
Teacher does not have First Amendment rights over curriculum
In today’s issue of NSBA LEGAL CLIP, you can read the National School Board’s take on the issue of teachers not having First Amendment rights in choices of materials and curriculum design. We are living in a dangerous time. Evans-Marshall v. Board of Education of the Tipp City Exempted Village School District, No. 09-3775 (6th…
Save your high school newspaper
A re-Tweet from Cheryl Pell of Michigan State University caught my attention today. Pell highlighted an MSU student’s blog called New Media Shift and written by a former high school journalist, Erica Shekell of Howell, Michican. Shekell urged others to write letters in support of their student newspapers. Why? Because student newspapers in particular –…
Only the beginning of an important discussion
Columbia Scholastic Press Association Executive Director Ed Sullivan graciously agreed to share his comments from a listserv discussion about the recent Sixth Circuit court decision that teachers have no Teacher speech rights on school curriculum. You can find those comments on the CSJblog. His comments parallel another listserv discussion by Fellows of a ASNE Reynolds 2010 Institute:…
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.