In 2022,
of editors surveyed at public institutions experienced administrative censorship.
63.8%
What are my resources?
If you have any questions regarding your rights as a journalist or concerns over being censored, contact your advisor, the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) at splc.org/legalhelp/ or (202) 785-5450, or the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Do your own research into your state's Education Code, New Voices legislation, and laws for student journalists.
What is prior review?
When someone not in the publication staff is required to read or approve student media before publication or distribution.
What is libel?
False defamation in print or writing to harm someone's reputation. Student expression can be restricted at community colleges if they are libelous.
What is censorship?
Suppresion of parts of media considered "offensive." Self-censorship can happen without explicit restrictions by administrators.
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
- Public school student editors determine school-sponsored media content
- Advisors cannot be punished for refusing to limit or control student decisions in lawful media
- Prior to censorship, public school officials must tell students the reason
Tinker v. Des Moines
A 1988 Supreme Court decision that schools can censor school-sponsored publications in extreme situations. It followed a case when high school student work was deleted by the principal prior to publication without their knowledge.
A 1969 Supreme Court decision that protected students' free speech rights in public schools, after a group of students decided to wear black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War.
Sources: https://splc.org/know-your-rights-california/
https://www.thefire.org/news/student-press-freedom-day-fire-report-shows-majority-student-newspapers-face-administrative
https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-hazelwood-v-kuhlmeier
https://jea.org/wp/blog/2010/04/15/scj-priorreview/
In 1977, California became the first state to protect student journalist rights with New Voices legislation.
New Voices Laws
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AS A JOURNALIST?