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
Dealing with unwanted, forced prior review? QT26
by John Bowen, MJE JEA historically has opposed prior review of student media by school officials. That opposition continues. Prior review leads only to control, active censorship and iis the first step toward the spread of fake news and less than complete disinformation. Students and advisers, though, may have no immediate choice but to be…
Muzzle Hazelwood with strong journalism,
status as an open public forum
Dean v. Utica Community Schools, 2004 Quick Tip 25: Student First Amendment Rights by Jan Ewell The principal of Utica High School told the student newspaper, the Arrow, to cut an article by student journalist Katy Dean, as well as an accompanying editorial and an editorial cartoon. The students had written about a couple, Rey…
Decision-making for most student broadcasts
protected same as print, online QT24
As more schools expand their journalism programs to include broadcast and radio, it should be clear how Tinker and Hazelwood positively or negatively affect broadcast programs. The answer is: it depends. If they go out over the broadcast airways, Federal Communications Commission regulations apply. If not, they are not subject to the broadcast-only regulations. But…
FAPFA reminder
by John Bowen, MJE It’s never too late to recognize or reaffirm the importance of First Amendment practices and policies – and be recognized for it – by applying for this year’s FAPFA award. Until Dec. 15, that is. This First Amendment Press Freedom Award recognizes high schools that actively support, teach and protect First Amendment rights and…
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.