A California Superior Court judge last week ordered San Francisco Unified Schools to restore Eric Gustafson to his role as Lowell High School journalism adviser. A few days after the verdict, the Student Press Law Center caught up with Gustafson to chat about the ruling.
In a major win for student journalists and a warning to school administrators, a California court found this week that San Francisco’s Lowell High School violated the state’s New Voices law when they reassigned the school’s journalism adviser solely because of his students' reporting.
This rare and extreme step serves as yet another reminder that student journalists should familiarize themselves with digital security best practices, as well as the laws concerning the protection of confidential sources and materials.
So far in the 2026 legislative session, six states have introduced New Voices bills to undo the effects of Hazelwood, while advocates in other states are looking to follow.
Student Press Law Center Executive Director Gary Green and the entire team thank you for being part of the SPLC community!
A Student Press Law Center analysis this fall found that many school districts in Iowa and West Virginia fail to fully comply with state laws protecting student journalists’ rights, leaving them vulnerable to censorship despite legal safeguards.
Mike Hiestand, the Student Press Law Center's senior legal counsel, said the suspensions appear to be unlawful viewpoint discrimination. He made the following statement:
Two New Jersey high school students share how they convinced their school district to pass a new student publications policy that protects student journalists and their advisers.
The Student Press Law Center and the National Scholastic Press Association are proud to honor the staff of Theogony at Alexandria City High School with the 2025 Courage in Student Journalism Award for their determined pursuit of student press freedom when school district staff sought to instill prior review and cement their principal as editor.
The Student Press Law Center and the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project are proud to honor Illinois high school journalist Isabelle Leofanti with the 2025 Student Freedom of Information Award.