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
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Student Press Law Center
@splc.org
· Aug 21
The Student Press Law Center empowers student journalists to publish stories that make a difference in their communities, and we're excited to share some of the latest highlights in our 2024-2025 Annual Report. ➡️ splc.org/impact/#report
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...
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
This is an excellent brief in the Stanford Daily's lawsuit against Marco Rubio. The Trump administration insists there's no chilling effect whatsoever from targeted detentions. This brief shares the stories of student reporters and editors who fear being the next Rumeysa Ozturk or Mahmoud Khalil.
🚨 NEW: We filed an amicus brief joined by 55 student newsrooms and leaders to defend student speech rights. Learn more: https://loom.ly/_aBsitk
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
October 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
This is an excellent brief in the Stanford Daily's lawsuit against Marco Rubio. The Trump administration insists there's no chilling effect whatsoever from targeted detentions. This brief shares the stories of student reporters and editors who fear being the next Rumeysa Ozturk or Mahmoud Khalil.
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
The Education Writers Association shares the Student Press Law Center’s alarm about reports by The Indiana Daily Student that Indiana University administrators interfered with its content decisions. We vigorously support First Amendment protections.
We are alarmed that the IU Media School issued orders to interfere with content @idsnews.bsky.social & fired its adviser. These actions disregard strong 1A protections and a long-standing tradition of student editorial independence.
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
October 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The Education Writers Association shares the Student Press Law Center’s alarm about reports by The Indiana Daily Student that Indiana University administrators interfered with its content decisions. We vigorously support First Amendment protections.
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
The Harvard Crimson joined 43 other college newspapers on an amicus brief filed Wednesday in support of a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s targeting of noncitizens for political speech.
Samuel A. Church & Cam N. Srivastava report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Samuel A. Church & Cam N. Srivastava report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
The Crimson Signs Amicus Brief in Suit Claiming Trump Admin Suppressed Noncitizens’ Speech in Student Papers | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Harvard Crimson joined 43 other college newspapers on an amicus brief filed Wednesday in support of a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s targeting of noncitizens for political speech.
www.thecrimson.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The Harvard Crimson joined 43 other college newspapers on an amicus brief filed Wednesday in support of a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s targeting of noncitizens for political speech.
Samuel A. Church & Cam N. Srivastava report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Samuel A. Church & Cam N. Srivastava report.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
Proud to help @splc.org, @collegemedia.bsky.social, Associated Collegiate Media, and 55 student newsrooms/leaders raise their voices to support @stanforddaily.com.web.brid.gy's case vs the govt over its attack on international students' 1A rights through visa revocations and deportations.
SPLC, coalition amicus brief highlights chilling effect
A Student Press Law Center-led coalition filed an amicus brief in a federal lawsuit to highlight the widespread chilling effect on student voices caused by recent immigration enforcement actions.
splc.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Proud to help @splc.org, @collegemedia.bsky.social, Associated Collegiate Media, and 55 student newsrooms/leaders raise their voices to support @stanforddaily.com.web.brid.gy's case vs the govt over its attack on international students' 1A rights through visa revocations and deportations.
Reposted by Student Press Law Center
I went through something like this during my two years as the editor of my small private college student newspaper. Not quite as grave, though heading in this direction. Feathers were beyond ruffled.
It didn't end well for the school.
@splc.org got involved and the school backed down.
It didn't end well for the school.
@splc.org got involved and the school backed down.
UPDATE: More at Indiana University, with all IDS print being cut.
The university chancellor claims “the campus is completing the shift from print to digital effective this week” — despite the fight earlier this week having been over a print Homecoming edition. www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
The university chancellor claims “the campus is completing the shift from print to digital effective this week” — despite the fight earlier this week having been over a print Homecoming edition. www.idsnews.com/article/2025...
October 16, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I went through something like this during my two years as the editor of my small private college student newspaper. Not quite as grave, though heading in this direction. Feathers were beyond ruffled.
It didn't end well for the school.
@splc.org got involved and the school backed down.
It didn't end well for the school.
@splc.org got involved and the school backed down.
🚨 NEW: We filed an amicus brief joined by 55 student newsrooms and leaders to defend student speech rights. Learn more: https://loom.ly/_aBsitk
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
October 16, 2025 at 1:45 PM
🚨 NEW: We filed an amicus brief joined by 55 student newsrooms and leaders to defend student speech rights. Learn more: https://loom.ly/_aBsitk
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
The Stanford Daily's lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to revoke international students' visas and deport them for protected speech.
We are alarmed that the IU Media School issued orders to interfere with content @idsnews.bsky.social & fired its adviser. These actions disregard strong 1A protections and a long-standing tradition of student editorial independence.
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
October 15, 2025 at 12:55 PM
We are alarmed that the IU Media School issued orders to interfere with content @idsnews.bsky.social & fired its adviser. These actions disregard strong 1A protections and a long-standing tradition of student editorial independence.
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
More: https://loom.ly/dypEC6s
🚨 NEWS: Indiana University fires its student media adviser and attempts to control content in what SPLC's Mike Hiestand calls "blatant censorship": www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
Indiana University fires IDS adviser amid dispute over student newspaper's content
The director of student media was fired after he pushed back against a university directive over what gets printed in the Indiana Daily Student.
www.indystar.com
October 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
🚨 NEWS: Indiana University fires its student media adviser and attempts to control content in what SPLC's Mike Hiestand calls "blatant censorship": www.indystar.com/story/news/e...
Join SPLC and our partners for Media Law Central at #MediaFest25 this week!
Connect with us at these sessions — and gain actionable media law insights on issues from AI, to libel law, to FERPA.
🔗 Learn more: https://mediafest25.com/law/
Connect with us at these sessions — and gain actionable media law insights on issues from AI, to libel law, to FERPA.
🔗 Learn more: https://mediafest25.com/law/
October 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Join SPLC and our partners for Media Law Central at #MediaFest25 this week!
Connect with us at these sessions — and gain actionable media law insights on issues from AI, to libel law, to FERPA.
🔗 Learn more: https://mediafest25.com/law/
Connect with us at these sessions — and gain actionable media law insights on issues from AI, to libel law, to FERPA.
🔗 Learn more: https://mediafest25.com/law/
In 2013, student reporter Abbey Crain and colleagues exposed racial bias in sorority recruitment — turning a campus story into a national reckoning.
Their work showed how student journalists can challenge the status quo and spark change. Read more: https://loom.ly/IHKJsHs
#StudentPressFreedom
Their work showed how student journalists can challenge the status quo and spark change. Read more: https://loom.ly/IHKJsHs
#StudentPressFreedom
Past Courage Winner: Student reporting ‘taught me the power of my own voice’
We catch up with Abbey Crain, a former reporter at the University of Alabama’s The Crimson White who won the 2013 College Press Freedom Award.
splc.org
October 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM
In 2013, student reporter Abbey Crain and colleagues exposed racial bias in sorority recruitment — turning a campus story into a national reckoning.
Their work showed how student journalists can challenge the status quo and spark change. Read more: https://loom.ly/IHKJsHs
#StudentPressFreedom
Their work showed how student journalists can challenge the status quo and spark change. Read more: https://loom.ly/IHKJsHs
#StudentPressFreedom