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
Advice for your administrators: Student media CAN equal solid learning
Part 2 Achieving the most positive educational experience for everyone involved – students, advisers, administrators and community – is really simple. And it does not involve control or stripping the educational value of student media. Here are some suggestions: • Hiring the most qualified educator to teach and advise your scholastic media or helping one without…
Making a list…
The Center for Scholastic Journalism’s Candace Bowen, in response to a request on the JEA listserv, started a “wish list“ for administrators that would make student staffs’ lives easier and more effective. We would encourage you to check out that list and add to it.
Supporting the SPLC by shopping eBay
By bidding on several items on eBay within the next four days, you can help the Student Press Law Center and purchase parts of journalism history. Journalism teacher Jan Ewell placed on eBay several The New Republic magazines containing articles that led to Stephen Glass’ discrediting as a journalist. These are the articles mentioned in the…
The power of choosing the right words – and images
Whether it’s news about a tornado that hit New York City recently, the use of mosque in stories about the World trade Center or just how scholastic journalists refer to those they report, choosing the right words, and knowing their various meanings, is just another example of ethical decision making. Consider these articles as classroom…
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.