Two national journalism education organizations and a museum dedicated to news have announced that beginning this year, they will co-sponsor two $5,000 awards to recognize those who demonstrate outstanding support for student press freedom
The Student Press Law Center, the Newseum, and National Scholastic Press Association will give the Courage in Student Journalism Awards to a middle or high school student and to a school administrator who have stood in support of the First Amendment. Both awards will recognize those who have faced adversity in their defense of a free student press.
Each of the organizations has given a similar award to student journalists in the past. Since 1984, the SPLC and NSPA have given an annual award to a student or student news medium that has demonstrated outstanding support for the free press rights of students. Since 1998, the Newseum has recognized a student journalist and a school administrator for their efforts on behalf of press freedom.
The three organizations will join this fall to present the new awards at the fall National Scholastic Press Association/Journalism Education Association convention (this year to be held in Boston November 8-11). Both the student and administrator award winners will receive $5,000 as well as airfare and hotel accommodations for the convention.
Nominations for the 2001 award will be accepted until June 15.