Student Press Law Center

|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣ | | WE'RE | | NOT THE | | SOUTHERN | | POVERTY | | LAW CENTER | |＿＿＿＿＿____ | (\__/) || (•ㅅ•) || / 　 づ

A CA school district ordered student journalists to take down two stories -- a violation of the state's student journalists' press rights law. @thomas_peele talked to @splc and FAC's @davidloysd about school admins squelching students' press freedom ⬇️ edsource.org/2026/high-scho…

Despite all the threats, student journalists persist. They are asking hard questions, telling essential stories, and seeking support. And we have their backs with free legal help. Your gift helps us meet a $20,000 matching challenge, doubling your impact! Give today: loom.ly/S5dflTM

Daniela Raymundo was among four student journalists from Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Bull Magazine who were cornered by @LAPDHQ officers, ordered to show press credentials and escorted away from a protest they were covering in downtown LA on March 28. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/…

“After 13 years of dedicated study, I am very proud to have completed my Ph.D. and to return home on my own timeline." Öztürk will continue her work in Turkey, after facing persecution in the U.S. "for nothing more than co-signing an op-ed advocating for Palestinian rights." aclum.org/press-releases…

As student journalists face increasing censorship, retaliation and other threats, the Student Press Law Center is proud to announce four new members of our Board of Directors to help us meet the moment. ⭐ Christina Bellantoni, director of USC Annenberg’s Media Center ⭐ Rick Hirsch, director of the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability ⭐ James Libresco, a first-year student at Brown University ⭐ Kate Ortega, director of newsroom operations at Business Insider Meet the new members: splc.org/2026/04/four-l…

We’re on our way to the National High School Journalism Convention this week! Join us for two days of timely sessions covering a range of topics, including censorship, libel and protests. Most sessions will be held in📍Media Law Central, but find all the details in the conference app!

Today is #LocalNewsDay! As the local news landscape evolves, student journalists play an increasingly important role in informing their communities. Our partners at the @Cent_Comm_News find that millions rely on students each year for information about their community, state and world. Student journalists are journalists. Today, we celebrate their essential contributions to the local news ecosystem. As they navigate an increasingly complex legal and political landscape to do this work, we're proud to have their backs. Today and every day.

Mike Hiestand states the rules of student press have changed in recent times. The @SPLC’s initiative is to equip students with knowledge on policies to avoid repercussions.

Join me in about an hour for a conversation as part of @ucfreespeech's annual #SpeechMatters conference, feat. @dbauder, @FrankLoMonte, @SPLC’s Mike Hiestand uci.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Each year since 1984, SPLC has recognized exceptional efforts of high school and college journalists in fighting for student press freedom and in telling important stories of their communities. This year’s Courage and FOI awards offer cash prizes! Nominate a student (or yourself): splc.org/awards Special thanks to partners @BrechnerFOI @ManshipSchool @NSPA @acpress

⚠️ TODAY: The release of the Epstein files raised questions that reach across the country, including on college campuses. How can student journalists effectively and legally pursue those stories? Join SPLC for this event featuring @jkbjournalist and @kpolantz. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Jim Rodenbush, the adviser who lost his job defending these inspiring students, recently wrote for @ProjectCensored explaining why he took a stand. projectcensored.org/silencing-stud… "When universities attempt to control the content of the student newspaper, they also promote self-censorship. Students learn the lesson quickly. Questioning authority can have a cost."

“If we don’t draw the line, then IU administrators and people in power will be emboldened to continue to do this until it gets worse and worse,” Mia said. After much backlash, IU partially backtracked — restoring print editions temporarily and creating a task force to make recommendations about the IDS’s future. “I’m very encouraged by what’s going on and by the leverage and power the students hold right now,” Andrew said. Hear more, including where things stand now: splc.org/2026/03/studen…

Indiana University ordered the Indiana Daily Student to cease all print editions and fired its adviser in October. For #StudentPressFreedom Day, IDS co-editors Mia Hilkowitz and Andrew Miller shared why they won't back down. youtube.com/shorts/z2CU_zJ…

The release of the Epstein files has raised questions that reach into institutions across the country, including college campuses. But how can student journalists effectively, responsibly and legally pursue those stories? Join us for this virtual event featuring Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown and student editors who have covered this story. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

As part of the #SpeechMatters2026 virtual conference on April 8, SPLC's Mike Hiestand will participate in this important discussion on the state of press freedom on campus and across the country. Learn more about the full day's events here: …eechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/speechmatters-…

"I had to do something because I believe every voice matters, no matter who you are,” Mitchell said. “I want a student at Gretna East five years from now to have the freedom to speak their mind and share their ideas honestly, without censorship or prior review.”

🚨 CENSORSHIP ALERT: A Nebraska high school student journalist is pushing back after administrators ordered the removal of an editorial cartoon criticizing ICE and then demanded prior review of the article about the censorship. splc.org/2026/03/nebras… With SPLC's support, Nicholas Mitchell asked his school board to reverse the censorship and create a district policy that protects #studentpressfreedom.

More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six at the @UofAlabama: thecrimsonwhite.com/128067/news/st…

📢 Journalism professors! Want to bring digital security into your classroom? FPF is offering a free virtual training program this summer to help you teach our J-school Digital Security Curriculum — no prior experience needed! Sign up by April 8 👇 forms.gle/3vMyvuczeCamvX…