It’s the Year of the Student Journalist
Two organizations we love, the Student Press Law Center and the Newseum, declared 2019 the Year of the Student Journalist last week. SPLC’s explanation for it sounds a whole lot like the reason this newsletter exists:
“Brave, dedicated student journalists report important stories and produce content that shines a light on their community. Sometimes they are the only reporters in the room at important public meetings. They often break stories through diligent investigation and good reporting.
“Yet student journalists are continually threatened by censorship, retaliation, budget cuts, lack of access and many other challenges. Their advisers are also sometimes threatened for standing up for students’ First Amendment rights. Few people understand the important contributions that journalism education makes to civic life.”
That’s a mission we’re excited about, which is why we’re spending a newsletter issue talking about it. And there are T-shirts and everything — it’s the real deal.
SPLC, the Newseum and partner organizations want to show why student journalists and journalism education are important to democracy by hosting national and local events. The Newseum has also committed to incorporating student journalist-related content into its displays throughout the year.
Here’s how you can get involved:
- Submit your publication’s front page to be featured at the Newseum’s display on Pennsylvania Avenue alongside hundreds of professional newspapers.
- Write a piece for your publication about why student press freedom is important and share it with SPLC. If you need inspiration, dozens of publications published op-eds last Wednesday for Student Press Freedom Day.
- Join your state’s New Voices campaign to push lawmakers for better student press freedom protections.
- Plan an event for your staff, school or community around one of these key dates, like Scholastic Journalism Week or World Press Freedom Day.
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