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

Yes Virginia, journalism still exists

by Stan Zoller, MJE More than a few years ago, I saw a sign on a colleague’s desk that read: “Tact:  Being able to tell someone where to go in such a way that they actually look forward to the trip.” Heeding that advice, I’ve become a hell of a travel agent.  Case in point. I…

Silently, heavily, even if optional, prior review and restraint contribute to a crumbling democracy

  by Lindsay Coppens The Harbinger adviser, Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough, Mass. A few weeks ago there was widespread reaction when news broke that the National Archives in Washington D.C. had blurred anti-Trump protest signs in a photograph from the 2017 Women’s March. Yesterday, The Washington Post reported a similar mural-sized image had been…

Building on Student Press Freedom Day

A time for reflection on and commitment to journalistically responsible student media Jan. 29, Student Press Freedom Day, is a good time to reflect on the importance of a unfettered student media, especially given the country’s claimed mistrust of and attacks on the media. Commit to informing your various communities now, and throughout the next…

Use real situations to teach law and ethics

  by Candace Bowen, MJE Teaching student journalists about legal and ethical issues can be a challenge. Some of my pre-service teachers at Kent State always want student groups to research different law cases and then present their findings to the class, possibility re-enact the trial. Others want teacher lectures, a process that takes at…

Red Panic Button

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.