Student Press Law Center
@splc.org
Free legal help and info for student journalists. Champion of their First Amendment rights.
🏛️ Legal Hotline: SPLC.org/legalhelp
✉️ Subscribe: SPLC.org/newsletter
🤝 Support student press freedom: SPLC.org/donate
🏛️ Legal Hotline: SPLC.org/legalhelp
✉️ Subscribe: SPLC.org/newsletter
🤝 Support student press freedom: SPLC.org/donate
Pinned
Student journalists are more important than ever. And with your help, we're here to provide them the legal help they need.
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
The fall student media conventions are always a great way to close out the year. To everyone we connected with, thank you!
Our team led 30+ legal sessions for more than 1,050 students and educators.
Their energy and determination always inspire us. The future of press freedom is in capable hands!
Our team led 30+ legal sessions for more than 1,050 students and educators.
Their energy and determination always inspire us. The future of press freedom is in capable hands!
November 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
The fall student media conventions are always a great way to close out the year. To everyone we connected with, thank you!
Our team led 30+ legal sessions for more than 1,050 students and educators.
Their energy and determination always inspire us. The future of press freedom is in capable hands!
Our team led 30+ legal sessions for more than 1,050 students and educators.
Their energy and determination always inspire us. The future of press freedom is in capable hands!
Congrats to our Courage in Student Journalism Award winners!
☝️ The journalists published investigative work.
🚫 Admins responded by requiring approval for certain stories.
🗣️ The students fought back with an advocacy campaign. And they’re still fighting.
Learn more: https://loom.ly/EujbL4c
☝️ The journalists published investigative work.
🚫 Admins responded by requiring approval for certain stories.
🗣️ The students fought back with an advocacy campaign. And they’re still fighting.
Learn more: https://loom.ly/EujbL4c
November 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Congrats to our Courage in Student Journalism Award winners!
☝️ The journalists published investigative work.
🚫 Admins responded by requiring approval for certain stories.
🗣️ The students fought back with an advocacy campaign. And they’re still fighting.
Learn more: https://loom.ly/EujbL4c
☝️ The journalists published investigative work.
🚫 Admins responded by requiring approval for certain stories.
🗣️ The students fought back with an advocacy campaign. And they’re still fighting.
Learn more: https://loom.ly/EujbL4c
Ever feel like government officials overestimate how long it will take to respond to your public records request? This person proved it by obtaining the emails about his original request: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/20/m...
November 20, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Ever feel like government officials overestimate how long it will take to respond to your public records request? This person proved it by obtaining the emails about his original request: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/20/m...
Student journalists are more important than ever. And with your help, we're here to provide them the legal help they need.
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
November 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Student journalists are more important than ever. And with your help, we're here to provide them the legal help they need.
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
Help us support more students with a gift today! ➡️ https://loom.ly/NZg-qlc
Your donation this giving season will go twice as far thanks to a matching gift!
Congratulations to Isabelle Leofanti, winner of our Student Freedom of Information Award with the Brechner FOI Project.
As the 1st student in her school’s history known to file an Illinois #FOIA request, she demonstrated remarkable curiosity and tenacity.
🔎 https://loom.ly/_Dw45z4
As the 1st student in her school’s history known to file an Illinois #FOIA request, she demonstrated remarkable curiosity and tenacity.
🔎 https://loom.ly/_Dw45z4
November 19, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Congratulations to Isabelle Leofanti, winner of our Student Freedom of Information Award with the Brechner FOI Project.
As the 1st student in her school’s history known to file an Illinois #FOIA request, she demonstrated remarkable curiosity and tenacity.
🔎 https://loom.ly/_Dw45z4
As the 1st student in her school’s history known to file an Illinois #FOIA request, she demonstrated remarkable curiosity and tenacity.
🔎 https://loom.ly/_Dw45z4
The University of Central Oklahoma provides yet another example of student journalists stepping up when admins fail to protect a free press.
The Independent View details the retaliation and censorship that led a team of student journalists to launch the new outlet: https://loom.ly/OChCvbA
The Independent View details the retaliation and censorship that led a team of student journalists to launch the new outlet: https://loom.ly/OChCvbA
Who’s Obstructing the View?
For 122 years, The Vista printed at the University of Central Oklahoma. It was one of the oldest college newspapers in Oklahoma, beginning even before our statehood in 1903. In 2025, that legacy ended. The first signs came in January. On the 29th, Mass Communication Chair Mike Breslin emailed Pro Media faculty and staff, “Starting...
theindependentviewuco.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The University of Central Oklahoma provides yet another example of student journalists stepping up when admins fail to protect a free press.
The Independent View details the retaliation and censorship that led a team of student journalists to launch the new outlet: https://loom.ly/OChCvbA
The Independent View details the retaliation and censorship that led a team of student journalists to launch the new outlet: https://loom.ly/OChCvbA
Unnecessary credentialing requirements for government news conferences often have the effect of illegally excluding student journalists and other journalists with an interest in breaking news. As they did here.
Oakland Police must end its restrictive press policy, writes FAC, @spj-norcal.bsky.social and @pmwglocal39521.bsky.social firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/11/14/p...
Press advocates condemn Oakland Police Department’s press policy
Oakland Police Department must end its restrictive press policy.
firstamendmentcoalition.org
November 15, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Unnecessary credentialing requirements for government news conferences often have the effect of illegally excluding student journalists and other journalists with an interest in breaking news. As they did here.
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
A nice look from @knightfoundation.org at how legal support helps journalists do their best work, with shoutouts for @rcfp.org, @splc.org, @facoalition.bsky.social, and more.
How legal support helps journalists do their best work
Knight expands legal aid for local newsrooms amid rising demand and cost barriers
newsatknight.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:14 PM
A nice look from @knightfoundation.org at how legal support helps journalists do their best work, with shoutouts for @rcfp.org, @splc.org, @facoalition.bsky.social, and more.
Please join us in welcoming Myesha Phukan to the SPLC team as our newest Advocacy Intern!
Myesha is a reporter and freshman at UC Berkeley, and she's been a #studentpressfreedom advocate since high school.
We’re excited about what’s ahead!
Myesha is a reporter and freshman at UC Berkeley, and she's been a #studentpressfreedom advocate since high school.
We’re excited about what’s ahead!
November 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Please join us in welcoming Myesha Phukan to the SPLC team as our newest Advocacy Intern!
Myesha is a reporter and freshman at UC Berkeley, and she's been a #studentpressfreedom advocate since high school.
We’re excited about what’s ahead!
Myesha is a reporter and freshman at UC Berkeley, and she's been a #studentpressfreedom advocate since high school.
We’re excited about what’s ahead!
Join us to learn the law this week at the Fall 2025 National High School Journalism Convention! Most sessions will be held in📍Media Law Central, but find all the details in the conference app! https://loom.ly/WP8I8gk
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Join us to learn the law this week at the Fall 2025 National High School Journalism Convention! Most sessions will be held in📍Media Law Central, but find all the details in the conference app! https://loom.ly/WP8I8gk
We closed out our anniversary with an event in DC last month. Check out the conversation: https://loom.ly/3c-4sts
Thanks to @eugenedaniels2.bsky.social, @sulliview.bsky.social and so many more for celebrating with us!
Thanks to @eugenedaniels2.bsky.social, @sulliview.bsky.social and so many more for celebrating with us!
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
We closed out our anniversary with an event in DC last month. Check out the conversation: https://loom.ly/3c-4sts
Thanks to @eugenedaniels2.bsky.social, @sulliview.bsky.social and so many more for celebrating with us!
Thanks to @eugenedaniels2.bsky.social, @sulliview.bsky.social and so many more for celebrating with us!
We stand with The Stanford Daily and @thefireorg.bsky.social to defend all student journalists' right to report without fear.
Hear from several of the 55 college newsrooms and student leaders about why they joined our amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4nd2t7P
Hear from several of the 55 college newsrooms and student leaders about why they joined our amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4nd2t7P
November 6, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We stand with The Stanford Daily and @thefireorg.bsky.social to defend all student journalists' right to report without fear.
Hear from several of the 55 college newsrooms and student leaders about why they joined our amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4nd2t7P
Hear from several of the 55 college newsrooms and student leaders about why they joined our amicus brief: https://bit.ly/4nd2t7P
Congratulations to the 2025 winners & finalists of our Courage Award! 🏆 https://loom.ly/SzbNgq4
We're proud to honor The Retrograde at UT-Dallas, alongside finalists at Central Washington University. They demonstrate the tenacity required to defend the #FirstAmendment and #studentjournalism.
We're proud to honor The Retrograde at UT-Dallas, alongside finalists at Central Washington University. They demonstrate the tenacity required to defend the #FirstAmendment and #studentjournalism.
UT-Dallas students win 2025 Courage Award for 'remarkable' stand for press freedom - Student Press Law Center
The Student Press Law Center and the Associated Collegiate Press are proud to honor University of Texas-Dallas student journalists Gregorio Olivares Gutierrez and Maria Shaikh, along with the staff of The Retrograde, with the 2025 Reveille Seven Courage in Student Journalism Award.
splc.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Congratulations to the 2025 winners & finalists of our Courage Award! 🏆 https://loom.ly/SzbNgq4
We're proud to honor The Retrograde at UT-Dallas, alongside finalists at Central Washington University. They demonstrate the tenacity required to defend the #FirstAmendment and #studentjournalism.
We're proud to honor The Retrograde at UT-Dallas, alongside finalists at Central Washington University. They demonstrate the tenacity required to defend the #FirstAmendment and #studentjournalism.
Few student journalists recognize Draudt v. Wooster, but they owe a lot to the students behind the influential 2003 case.
The decision laid the framework for greater protections from #censorship. Read Darcie Draudt-Véjares’ reflection on the case’s impact on her career. https://loom.ly/JlIVCow
The decision laid the framework for greater protections from #censorship. Read Darcie Draudt-Véjares’ reflection on the case’s impact on her career. https://loom.ly/JlIVCow
Draudt-Véjares revisits Wooster Blade’s legacy for student press freedom - Student Press Law Center
For this profile, former SPLC intern Julia Gentin spoke with the former editor-in-chief of the Wooster High School Blade in honor of the publication’s 2004 Courage in Student Journalism Award.
splc.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Few student journalists recognize Draudt v. Wooster, but they owe a lot to the students behind the influential 2003 case.
The decision laid the framework for greater protections from #censorship. Read Darcie Draudt-Véjares’ reflection on the case’s impact on her career. https://loom.ly/JlIVCow
The decision laid the framework for greater protections from #censorship. Read Darcie Draudt-Véjares’ reflection on the case’s impact on her career. https://loom.ly/JlIVCow
We’re at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Fall Conference in NYC today!
Staff attorney Jonathan Gaston-Falk will be leading sessions all day on media law issues, censorship and more. If you're attending, come say hi and learn the law!
#StudentJournalism #studentpressfreedom
Staff attorney Jonathan Gaston-Falk will be leading sessions all day on media law issues, censorship and more. If you're attending, come say hi and learn the law!
#StudentJournalism #studentpressfreedom
November 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We’re at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Fall Conference in NYC today!
Staff attorney Jonathan Gaston-Falk will be leading sessions all day on media law issues, censorship and more. If you're attending, come say hi and learn the law!
#StudentJournalism #studentpressfreedom
Staff attorney Jonathan Gaston-Falk will be leading sessions all day on media law issues, censorship and more. If you're attending, come say hi and learn the law!
#StudentJournalism #studentpressfreedom
🚨NEW: IU has reversed course to allow the Indiana Daily Student to print for the rest of the school year. loom.ly/CQvO8gY
We have some things to say 🧵⤵️
We have some things to say 🧵⤵️
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: IDS to continue printing after IU reverses course
Our next edition will hit the stands Nov. 20.
loom.ly
October 31, 2025 at 2:01 PM
🚨NEW: IU has reversed course to allow the Indiana Daily Student to print for the rest of the school year. loom.ly/CQvO8gY
We have some things to say 🧵⤵️
We have some things to say 🧵⤵️
We, alongside the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, are proud to honor three reporters of @statenews.com with the Student Freedom of Information Award.
We’re inspired by their tenacious pursuit of transparency and accountability. https://loom.ly/B-iXTF0
We’re inspired by their tenacious pursuit of transparency and accountability. https://loom.ly/B-iXTF0
October 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
We, alongside the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, are proud to honor three reporters of @statenews.com with the Student Freedom of Information Award.
We’re inspired by their tenacious pursuit of transparency and accountability. https://loom.ly/B-iXTF0
We’re inspired by their tenacious pursuit of transparency and accountability. https://loom.ly/B-iXTF0
"The next generation is speaking up for all of our First Amendment rights." 👏
Thank you @stephruhle.bsky.social and @msnbc.com for highlighting IU's censorship and our amicus brief. As we empower student journalists to defend #pressfreedom, we are inspired every day by their courage and solidarity.
Thank you @stephruhle.bsky.social and @msnbc.com for highlighting IU's censorship and our amicus brief. As we empower student journalists to defend #pressfreedom, we are inspired every day by their courage and solidarity.
October 27, 2025 at 2:23 PM
"The next generation is speaking up for all of our First Amendment rights." 👏
Thank you @stephruhle.bsky.social and @msnbc.com for highlighting IU's censorship and our amicus brief. As we empower student journalists to defend #pressfreedom, we are inspired every day by their courage and solidarity.
Thank you @stephruhle.bsky.social and @msnbc.com for highlighting IU's censorship and our amicus brief. As we empower student journalists to defend #pressfreedom, we are inspired every day by their courage and solidarity.
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
I spent more than a decade as a college media adviser and I'm grateful to have had that opportunity. When I get nostalgic about a previous career (I've had several), my new rule is to support the folks who are doing it today. So, I made a small donation to @splc.org.
October 26, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I spent more than a decade as a college media adviser and I'm grateful to have had that opportunity. When I get nostalgic about a previous career (I've had several), my new rule is to support the folks who are doing it today. So, I made a small donation to @splc.org.
Ahead of announcing our newest Courage in Student Journalism honorees, we're looking back at the incredible determination of some past award winners.
This week, we’re highlighting The Homestead Epitaph, the 1988 winners who fought censorship immediately after Hazelwood.
https://loom.ly/yD2jbQo
This week, we’re highlighting The Homestead Epitaph, the 1988 winners who fought censorship immediately after Hazelwood.
https://loom.ly/yD2jbQo
Past winner: ‘The Epitaph was the wrong paper to pick on’ - Student Press Law Center
Since 1984, the Student Press Law Center has recognized student journalists who show exceptional determination and support for student press freedom. Ahead of announcing the newest honorees, SPLC reached out to a few former award winners to see where they are now. For this first-person profile, former SPLC intern Julia Gentin spoke with members of… Continue reading Past winner: ‘The Epitaph was the wrong paper to pick on’
splc.org
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Ahead of announcing our newest Courage in Student Journalism honorees, we're looking back at the incredible determination of some past award winners.
This week, we’re highlighting The Homestead Epitaph, the 1988 winners who fought censorship immediately after Hazelwood.
https://loom.ly/yD2jbQo
This week, we’re highlighting The Homestead Epitaph, the 1988 winners who fought censorship immediately after Hazelwood.
https://loom.ly/yD2jbQo
The Student Press Law Center's Gary Green spoke with @jaketapper.bsky.social @cnn.com last night about the ongoing student media censorship issues at Indiana University and how student journalism everywhere is under attack. youtu.be/ePWmW3NnHJ8
Student Press Law Center discusses Indiana University's Censorship with CNN's Jake Tapper
YouTube video by Student Press Law Center
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The Student Press Law Center's Gary Green spoke with @jaketapper.bsky.social @cnn.com last night about the ongoing student media censorship issues at Indiana University and how student journalism everywhere is under attack. youtu.be/ePWmW3NnHJ8
IU students and alumni deserve better than to see the IDS slowly diminished by administrative creep. Here is what the Media School must do immediately to demonstrate it's serious about building a solid future for student media: https://splc.org/2025/10/splc-statement-on-ius-student-media-task-force/
October 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
IU students and alumni deserve better than to see the IDS slowly diminished by administrative creep. Here is what the Media School must do immediately to demonstrate it's serious about building a solid future for student media: https://splc.org/2025/10/splc-statement-on-ius-student-media-task-force/
Following swift backlash to actions that undermined the
@idsnews.bsky.social, IU Media School announced yesterday that a task force would "develop recommendations ensuring both the editorial independence and financial sustainability of student media at IU.” splc.org/2025/10/splc...
@idsnews.bsky.social, IU Media School announced yesterday that a task force would "develop recommendations ensuring both the editorial independence and financial sustainability of student media at IU.” splc.org/2025/10/splc...
SPLC statement on IU’s student media task force - Student Press Law Center
“The Student Press Law Center welcomes any genuine effort by Indiana University to strengthen the editorial independence and financial sustainability of its student media. However, the announcement of...
splc.org
October 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Following swift backlash to actions that undermined the
@idsnews.bsky.social, IU Media School announced yesterday that a task force would "develop recommendations ensuring both the editorial independence and financial sustainability of student media at IU.” splc.org/2025/10/splc...
@idsnews.bsky.social, IU Media School announced yesterday that a task force would "develop recommendations ensuring both the editorial independence and financial sustainability of student media at IU.” splc.org/2025/10/splc...
Join SPLC and the Center for Community News this Wednesday for a discussion on the legal challenges that college reporting programs are facing today, the rights you can exercise, and strategies for protecting your student reporters.
Educators, reserve your spot: https://loom.ly/sLF1TVw
Educators, reserve your spot: https://loom.ly/sLF1TVw
October 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Join SPLC and the Center for Community News this Wednesday for a discussion on the legal challenges that college reporting programs are facing today, the rights you can exercise, and strategies for protecting your student reporters.
Educators, reserve your spot: https://loom.ly/sLF1TVw
Educators, reserve your spot: https://loom.ly/sLF1TVw
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
Indiana University barred its student newspaper from printing any news and fired the adviser for pushing back on censorship. However, facts aside, IU officials deny that it's censorship.
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
Indiana Censors Newspaper, Fires Adviser
Indiana University officials demanded a student newspaper not print news in its homecoming edition, then fired an adviser who objected to censorship demands.
www.insidehighered.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Indiana University barred its student newspaper from printing any news and fired the adviser for pushing back on censorship. However, facts aside, IU officials deny that it's censorship.
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
www.insidehighered.com/news/student...