Celebrate #StudentPressFreedom on Jan. 29

Mark your calendars to celebrate #StudentPressFreedom on Wednesday, Jan. 29! Student Press Freedom Day, a national day of action to highlight student journalism and its independence, commemorates the anniversary of the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier decision allowing school censorship with educational justification and neutral viewpoints. 

In wake of the Hazelwood decision, 14 states passed “New Voices” legislation aimed at protecting student journalists’ First Amendment rights. Student Press Freedom Day allows student journalists and advisers in other states to demonstrate to their lawmakers and communities the importance of a free student press. 

 The SPLC launched an op-ed campaign last year attracting nearly 70 student newsrooms that published editorials on the importance of student press freedom. The call remains open again this year based on the theme “This is What Student Press Freedom Looks Like.” Student newsrooms may participate by emailing Danielle Dieterich at ddieterich@splc.org with subject line “SPFD editorial submission” and a link to the editorial. Students may also tweet the link at the Student Press Law Center account using #studentpressfreedom.

Check out ways to participate on the Student Press Law Center website.