Feb. 27, 2025 marks the eighth annual Student Press Freedom Day. This day is a celebration of all the incredible work student journalists do. It is also a day to raise awareness about the importance of student press rights, which are integral not only to our publication but to society as a whole.
Nationwide, one of the biggest challenges student journalists face is censorship. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) defines censorship as any time a school official attempts to prevent the publishing of content in a student publication. There have been dozens of censorship incidents reported in the last few years alone. At both the high school and collegiate level, administrations have exercised prior review, previewing content before publishing, as well as prior restraint, dictating what student publications can and cannot cover. Issues surrounding student press freedom gained national attention in 2024 as dozens of journalists were arrested, attacked or detained as they covered protests about the war in Gaza on college campuses.
As local news outlets become more obsolete, student journalists are foundational to keeping communities informed and engaged. For example, Manual RedEye has broken multiple stories important to the Louisville community including reporting on a Kentucky State Police training slideshow that quoted Adolf Hitler in 2020.
Student publications also help foster school culture and offer a platform for youth perspectives that often go overlooked. RedEye acts as a public forum, allowing students to publish opinions on the issues that matter to them most. The staff understands that censorship, of student journalists and otherwise, undermines justice throughout the nation.
As students in the Journalism & Communication magnet, we are fortunate to have advisers and administrators who support us in our mission to cover all issues impacting the Manual community. RedEye has gained national attention reporting on issues such as the JCPS busing crisis, Westboro Baptist Church’s protest and student walkouts. Over the last 15 years, RedEye has become a reliable source of news for its surrounding community.
Unfortunately, not all students have teachers and administrators who understand the importance of what we do. Those students must rely on the law to protect them, which is why legislative efforts to protect their First Amendment rights are crucial in advancing student press freedom.
New Voices is a student-powered movement organized by SPLC. In 1988, after the Supreme Court ruled against the rights of student journalists in the case of Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier, SPLC turned its attention to protecting press rights at the state level. New Voices legislation preserves free speech for student journalists in state law and establishes job protections for the advisers of student publications. Currently, New Voices legislation has been passed in 18 states, Kentucky not among them.
The 2025 Student Press Freedom Day theme is “At the forefront.” Student journalists are at the forefront of their communities. They are at the forefront of headlines. They are at the forefront of the future of journalism. In today’s rapidly changing world – amidst technological advancements like artificial intelligence, the degradation of our planet and a hyper-politicized social climate – youth watch dogs are more important than ever.
If our publications, advisers and free speech rights are not protected, communities will lose necessary student-led institutions. Student publications are crucial platforms to uplift the voices of tomorrow’s leaders today.
Celebrate Student Press Freedom Day by contacting your state lawmakers and encouraging them to support Senate Bill 40, Kentucky’s New Voices Bill, to protect the rights of student journalists.
