Student Press Law Center Executive Director Hadar Harris talks with two students who successfully campaigned for the reinstatement of their adviser, as well as SPLC senior legal counsel Mike Hiestand and representatives from the Journalism Education Association and College Media Association to break down what you need to know about protecting advisers.
Co-Editors-in-Chief Olivia Fu and Sam Newman of The Express in San Juan Hills High School, California worked tirelessly to defend their right to publish responsible journalism while simultaneously pushing for the school to let their teacher return to the classroom.
This is exactly what students should do in the circumstances according to Hiestand, who pointed out that advisers who try to push back against retaliation will often end up in more trouble. Students, on the other hand, are free to take the story to local media or reach out to groups like the SPLC or ACLU.
Hiestand also pointed to the SPLC tip sheet for student media advisers as a great resource.
CMA president Chris Evans and JEA Scholastic Press Rights Commision Chair Lori Keekley shared tips and resources including having a “What to do if we get censored” guide and starting each school year by having student reporters meet with administrators to establish a professional rapport.
If you need legal help, speak with an SPLC attorney through our free legal hotline.
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