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
Following the Files: How Students Can Cover Epstein Connections on Campus
⚠️ 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/
Jim Rodenbush, the adviser who lost his job defending these inspiring students, recently shared his reasons for taking a stand in this column for @projectcensored.bsky.social. projectcensored.org/silencing-st...
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...
Cartoon depicting a "history" factory, with the quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" from George Santayana. A student thinks: "Why does this look familiar?" while thinking about the Palmer Raids and Japanese-American Incarcerations, and the cogs of "Bureaucracy" and "Loopholes" stand next to an "ICE" conveyor belt with "Unidentified Agents," "Detentions Without Charge," "Militarized PResence," and "Limited Transparency" on the assembly line. Beneath the conveyor belt, spilled water from a pipe, labeled: "the cracks are showing", and a graph showing "public trust" in the red.
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...
With SPLC's help, he's asked his school board to reverse the censorship and create a #studentpressfreedom policy.
"I had to do something because I believe every voice matters, no matter who you are,” Nicholas Mitchell said.
🚨 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/
📢 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 👇
📣 TODAY: SkillsFest26 from SPJ and SPJ New England begins with a great line-up of free, virtual journalism training sessions.
Join us at 2:15 p.m. ET for Copyright 101!
🔗 Learn more and sign up: https://loom.ly/vPRjiOY
"Being a student journalist is a really vulnerable position ...," Thomas said. "It is really important to not underestimate yourself and ... remember what you're doing is important."
Full story here: splc.org/2026/03/stud...
Their high school journalism adviser was reassigned after administrators didn't like their reporting. Last month, Romana Jacobson and Thomas Harrison shared their experiences with censorship — and reactions to a big court victory — during #StudentPressFreedom Day.
youtube.com/shorts/q2MAG...
The anniversary reminds us: A free student press depends on every member of a campus community feeling safe to speak, and on student journalists’ ability to report without fear.
If you’re a student journalist or adviser facing censorship or self-censorship, SPLC has your back. splc.org/legalhelp/
The legal fight continues, too. The Stanford Daily’s lawsuit — challenging immigration enforcement actions against protected speech — is ongoing, with arguments scheduled for May 14. splc.org/2025/10/splc...
As for Öztürk, a judge terminated removal proceedings, and she has graduated from Tufts.
In newsrooms across the country, student journalists faced new fears from sources and staff alike. Many revisited their policies on takedown requests and anonymous sourcing, following SPLC guidance. Those changes remain in place today, as do the concerns that prompted them. splc.org/2025/04/stud...
One year ago today, masked federal agents surrounded Tufts int'l student Rümeysa Öztürk, whisked her away and kept her locked up for 45 days. Her offense? Co-authoring an op-ed in the student paper that the government disliked.
The chilling effects on student speech were immediate and long-lasting.
STUDENT MEDIA LAWSUIT: Eight students have sued the University of Alabama, arguing that the closures of the women- and Black-focused student magazines violated the First Amendment. thecrimsonwhite.com/127869/news/...
April Fools' Day is almost here! Before you get too clever, a friendly reminder:
Satire and parody are protected speech, but only if your audience knows it's a joke. Avoid defamation or other legal trouble by making it obvious.
👇 Read more before you publish: splc.org/2023/03/can-...
Student journalists should not face press freedom challenges alone. That’s why we commit to equipping students and educators with the legal knowledge and resources they need — long before a crisis hits.
Know your rights. Report freely.
Learn more about our plan: splc.org/strategic-plan
If only every administrator and campus official understood how important student journalists are! www.foxnews.com/sports/vcu-c...
All week long, we’ve been celebrating #SunshineWeek! Click to read the story of how three student reporters used the Freedom of Information Act to go toe-to-toe with administrators and break some of the biggest stories at MSU. ➡️ https://loom.ly/pZYhU_A
Are you a student journalist looking to implement public records in a story, but don’t know where to start? It’s #SunshineWeek, and we have the perfect resource!
No matter what state you're in, SPLC's Letter Generator will help you request the records you need. https://splc.org/lettergenerator/
📢 NEWS: The Georgia legislature has introduced a bill that would protect #studentpressfreedom rights in the state! www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/...
Learn more about New Voices, and reach out to see how you can offer support: splc.org/new-voices/