Student Press Law Center

We're excited to participate in Influencer U this summer. Educators, join us!

This nine-session, free webinar about teaching news content creation will run Tuesdays in June and July, 4-5:30 EST / 1-2:30 PST. Follow this link to view the speaker lineup and to register: https://loom.ly/M2YRv48

Influencer U is sponsored by The Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University and Trusting News, along with NSPA and Quill and Scroll.

The Student Press Law Center condemns a federal court ruling upholding — for now, at least — the University of Alabama’s decision to shut down two student magazines, calling the decision a significant threat to student press freedom nationwide.

Read our full statement: https://loom.ly/runpBFs

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled Friday that the university likely did not violate the First Amendment when it closed student-led Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six because the publications focused on women and Black students, respectively.

Eight students sued the University of Alabama, arguing — alongside many free speech advocates, including the Student Press Law Center — that the magazines’ closure constituted viewpoint discrimination, which is generally illegal under the First Amendment.

While the judge denied the students’ request for a preliminary injunction, the litigation continues.

Alabama court decision threatens student press freedom - Student Press Law Center The Student Press Law Center today condemned a federal court ruling upholding — for now, at least — the University of Alabama’s decision to shut down two student magazines, calling the decision a significant threat to student press freedom nationwide.

How can student journalists protect themselves from giving up their notes or recordings, or being forced to testify?

In the latest blog post from SPLC's Attorney Referral Network, media lawyer David M. Snyder writes about what students should know before they receive a subpoena. ➡️ https://loom.ly/UcAPvzI

When journalism adviser Eric Gustafson saw his students keep reporting despite pressure from school administrators, he knew he had to keep fighting too.

That's why, when administrators removed him from advising, he reached out to the Student Press Law Center for guidance. He filed a lawsuit to fight for reinstatement — and won. Now, SPLC will use his victory as a warning to other administrators.

SPLC is here so students and advisers like Eric don’t have to face these battles alone. Support student press freedom with a donation today: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

⌛ DEADLINE TOMORROW: High school students, join us this summer to learn leadership and advocacy skills as we advance ! https://loom.ly/Hk44D8g

Apply Now: New Voices Student Leaders Institute - Student Press Law Center The New Voices Student Leaders Institute is a free program for students to develop their organizing skills and grow as leaders within the New Voices movement.

The Virginia General Assembly recently commended the Theogony staff for their efforts to defend press freedom at Alexandria City High School. 🎉 https://splc.org/2026/05/virginia-legislature-commends-staff-of-theogony/

The students fended off their district’s attempt to curtail their independence and eventually secured greater protections in a new district-wide policy. Now they turn their attention to passing a New Voices law in Virginia, and they hope legislators will join them.

“When you support a resolution like this, it’s really important that you turn your words into action and actually enshrine legislation to protect student journalists,” said James Libresco, one of Theogony’s past editors-in-chief.

Virginia legislature commends staff of Theogony - Student Press Law Center Resolution HJ 196 honors the students for their months-long campaign that fended off their school district’s attempt to curtail their independence and eventually secured greater protections in a new district-wide policy.

Attorney (and former SPLC board member) Laura Prather explains how lawsuits are used to silence truthful speech and reporting — and why anti-SLAPP laws are necessary to stop the growing trend. https://youtu.be/_IV7veYUHFU?si=NOlFubRm-DvtYTZY

Student journalists are particularly vulnerable to these legal threats. As Prather says, we must stand up to the bullies and defend free speech.

How legal bullying works—and how to protect yourself | Laura Prather | TEDxSurrey In this talk, Laura Prather shares how her belief in free speech sparked by a high school teacher was tested when she witnessed the legal system used to sile...

It's been a year of tumult and uncertainty for student media at Indiana University. Now, editors of the Indiana Daily Student - idsnews say that, "for the first time in years, we’re at the precipice of a beneficial cycle."

An IU-appointed task force, which included student leaders, released its recommendations for securing the future of IU's student media. The report affirms editorial independence, which reinforces the university's goals rather than competes with them.

The ball is now in IU's court. It must choose to invest in student media, protect its editorial independence and create space for innovation.

Will administrators listen to their community?

➡️ The task force's recommendations: https://loom.ly/_ke99F8
➡️ The IDS editors' letter: https://loom.ly/vtbBPSo
➡️ SPLC's Mike Hiestand explains to the IndyStar the legal protections for editorial independence: https://loom.ly/usZ-_h4

☀️ SUMMER OPPORTUNITY: High school students, if you're passionate about and want to make it better in your state, apply to our free New Voices Student Leaders Institute this summer! Apply by May 20. https://loom.ly/Hk44D8g

Apply Now: New Voices Student Leaders Institute - Student Press Law Center The New Voices Student Leaders Institute is a free program for students to develop their organizing skills and grow as leaders within the New Voices movement.