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
Jury finds for school district in Puyallup case
The News Tribune is reporting the jury found for the Puyallup school district. The story indicates more information coming tomorrow.
Puyallup case goes to jury
For an update on the Puyallup, Washington, “oral sex coverage,” go to this SPLC Newsflash. The SPLC reports the judge in the case “issued a confusing ruling in which she determined that The Jagwire was a “limited public forum,” but said that it was nevertheless subject to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1988 Hazelwood ruling, which allows school…
Music Use: Just what IS legal?
That’s what Student Press Law Center executive director Frank LoMonte will discuss in the Webinar “It’s Not YourTube or Your Music.” Thanks to the Radio and Television Digital News Association, you can register now to be part of the discussion Friday, April 23 at 2 p.m. EDT. LoMonte will cover what you and your students…
Next steps
This week, at the JEA/NSPA convention in Portland, the press rights commission has taken several initiatives: • Involving, for the first time 45words, its student partners group • Designing a working definition of prior review and prior restraint of scholastic media • Participating in a Skype discussion with a lawyer about a Washington State case…
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.