Last week, Maryland student journalists spoke at a school board meeting, calling on Montgomery County Schools to rescind a new memo requiring administrative prior review. "Our teachers trust us. The law trusts us. MCPS should, too," sophomore Ian Chen said. https://loom.ly/x0sRo0o

⌛ Today is the final day to nominate a student journalist (or yourself) for SPLC’s Student Press Freedom Awards! Help us shine a light on courageous students and terrific student reporting using public records. Learn more: https://splc.org/awards

Educators, have you missed Influencer U so far? It's not too late! Join us this week to talk about the law of creator-style journalism. This free webinar series about teaching news content creation runs Tuesdays in June and July. View the speaker lineup and to register: https://loom.ly/M2YRv48

HAPPENING NOW: Maryland student journalists speak at the Montgomery County Board of Education meeting, calling on the district to rescind a memo requiring administrative prior review. Watch live: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/index.aspx

Nineteen years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled that, while students have a right to political speech at school, their right does not extend to views promoting illegal drug use. Learn more about the “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS” case: https://loom.ly/ojxXKNE

The latest college student news outlet to shift from student org to independent nonprofit — The Emory Wheel. Editors explained that this shift will not only improve the publication’s finances but also enable them to maintain independence amid media turbulence. https://loom.ly/6rJcLys

⚠️ Attention student journalists! There’s only one more week to submit a nomination for SPLC’s Student Press Freedom Awards. Each award comes with a cash prize and is open to high school and college students. Learn more here: https://splc.org/awards

A federal court let the University of Alabama shut down two student magazines — and broke with nearly 60 years of First Amendment precedent to do it. Our new guide breaks down Pointer v. Phelps, what's at stake and how student media can protect themselves. 🔗 https://splc.org/pointer-v-phelps/

Congratulations to Andrew Hum and Kim Hong of Holmdel High School for winning the First Amendment Award from Youth Journalism International! Learn more about Hum and Hong’s experience advocating for student press rights in their 2025 editorial: https://loom.ly/qf5U4Rg

While many college publications around the nation face budget cuts, Prism writes about how some have responded with more in-depth reporting and sounder, more strategic business decisions. Read the full story: https://loom.ly/PCvtDsg

"We have power to organize, we have power to call out [and] keep institutions accountable.” Today, more than 150 Maryland high schoolers did just that — signing a cross-district open letter demanding the district follow the state's press freedom law. 🔗 Their story: https://loom.ly/c7SmtGY

When student journalists tackle a tough story, the instinct to suppress it is both a legal risk and a missed opportunity. SPLC spoke with K-12 Dive about what school leaders should do instead — and why 18 states have New Voices laws protecting student press rights. https://loom.ly/EZrKTJ4

Nebraska students were recently honored by @kennedyhrc.bsky.social for in-depth reporting on the state prison system. 🎉 https://loom.ly/nekJVs0 We were proud to provide pre-pub assistance to this team as they gave a voice to the incarcerated and their families.

🚨 Fourteen national journalism groups wrote to IU admins today, urging them to act on a student media task force’s recommendations — and warning that the press community is still watching after actions taken last fall undermined #studentpressfreedom at IU. Read the letter: https://loom.ly/-sc9RPE

With the academic year coming to a close, don’t forget to nominate a student journalist for SPLC’s Student Press Freedom Awards! Both the Courage in Student Journalism Award and the Student Freedom of Information Award come with cash prizes. 🏆 Learn more and apply at the link in our bio.

Please consider a donation to @splc.org. They do amazing work for amazing student journalists.

It’s an urgent moment for student journalists, and they need support from individuals like you and organizations like SPLC. Please consider a gift today to ensure they get the legal help they need when it matters most. All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

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

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

How can student journalists protect themselves from giving up their notes 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 he was removed as adviser, Eric Gustafson was inspired by his students to keep fighting. That's why he reached out to SPLC and filed a lawsuit. Now, SPLC will use his victory as a warning to others. Ensure students & advisers have SPLC in their corner with a donation: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

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

Julie K. Brown earned a Pulitzer Prize this month for her groundbreaking Jeffrey Epstein reporting. Brown told SPLC recently that said every student journalist should investigate Epstein's connections to their campuses. https://splc.org/2026/04/julie-k-brown-on-epstein-reporting-it-takes-a-village/

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/ Now the students turn their attention to passing a New Voices law in Virginia.

Attorney (and former SPLC board member) Laura Prather explains how lawsuits are used to silence truthful reporting — and why we need anti-SLAPP laws to stop the growing trend. https://youtu.be/_IV7veYUHFU?si=NOlFubRm-DvtYTZY As Prather says, we must stand up to the bullies and defend free speech.

It's been a year of tumult and uncertainty for IU student media. Now, student editors say that, "for the first time in years, we’re at the precipice of a beneficial cycle." An IU-appointed task force released its recommendations for securing the future of student media. 🧵⤵️

☀️ SUMMER OPPORTUNITY: High school students, if you're passionate about #studentpressfreedom 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#studentpressfreedom

Former Board Chair Roz Stark knows how important it is for student journalists to have legal support. That's why she has been donating to SPLC for 20+ years. With SPLC even more essential in today’s world, Roz has stepped forward with a $20K matching challenge. Donate now: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

Former Board Chair Roz Stark knows how important it is for student journalists to have legal support. That's why she has been donating to SPLC for 20+ years. With SPLC even more essential in today’s world, Roz has stepped forward with a $20K matching challenge. Donate now: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

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

Maryland celebrates 10 years of its New Voices law this month! 🎉 To mark the occasion, we reviewed MD school districts' student media policies. Of 21 we've received, all comply with the law — a great first step to ensure students can enjoy its press freedom protections. https://loom.ly/7CiZrA8

In impressive reporting, students at Redwood High found more than 5,000 references to local residents in the Epstein files. When one complained, the district ordered the journalists to remove their reporting. SPLC's Mike Hiestand says that violates California law: https://loom.ly/9Ys0kOs

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 support. Your gift helps us meet a $20,000 matching challenge, doubling your impact! Give today: https://loom.ly/S5dflTM

Student journalists do powerful reporting every day, including on big national stories like the Epstein files. Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown and three student journalists joined us to talk about how students can cover any connections the files have to their campus: https://loom.ly/lPjEPyo

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

As student journalists face major threats, SPLC welcomes new board members to help us meet the moment: ⭐ Christina Bellantoni, USC Annenberg ⭐ Rick Hirsch, Collier Prize for State Government Accountability ⭐ James Libresco, Brown University ⭐ Kate Ortega, Business Insider splc.org/2026/04/four...

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 covering protests. Most sessions will be held in📍Media Law Central, but find all the details in the conference app!

We’ve been defending student journalists for 50+ years. Now, our strategic plan calls us to strengthen our leadership and voice in service of student journalism. We have a bold plan, and we need you to join us! https://splc.org/strategic-plan/

Today is #LocalNewsDay! Millions rely on student journalists for information about their communities. Student journalists are journalists. Today, we celebrate their essential contributions to local news. As they navigate an increasingly complex legal landscape, we're proud to have their backs.

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

⚠️ 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 with @jkbjournalist.bsky.social. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Great publicity for The Michigan Daily

The landscape for student journalists is shifting as the need for their work grows. SPLC's strategic plan commits to supporting the acceleration of newer student reporting programs while maintaining our support for traditional student media. Learn more: https://splc.org/strategic-plan/

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_...

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 with Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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 event here: freespeechcenter.universityofcalifornia.edu/speechmatter...

Officials at an Omaha-area high school ordered the student newspaper to remove this editorial cartoon criticizing ICE, then demanded prior review of articles about their censorship. Via @splc.org, which is advocating for the students: splc.org/2026/03/nebr...

🚨 CENSORSHIP ALERT: A Nebraska student journalist is pushing back after @gretnaeasthigh ordered the removal of an editorial cartoon criticizing ICE and then demanded prior review of the article about the censorship. splc.org/2026/03/nebr...

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

In an increasingly complex reporting environment, student journalists need legal support more than ever. SPLC is committed to scaling to meet that demand, building the capacity to serve every student who needs us. Learn more about our new strategic plan: https://splc.org/strategic-plan/