Special Messages
Students
Journalism Educators
Journalists
News Executives
Attorneys
Friends of the First Amendment
A recent survey of high school students reported some alarming findings:
- Nearly three quarters don’t know how they feel about the First Amendment or take it for granted
- They are less likely than adults to think people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions
- Only 51 percent believe newspapers should be allowed to publish without government approval of stories.
But the study, released by Knight Foundation in early 2005, found some encouraging news: Student journalists appreciate free expression and press freedom in numbers greater than their peers. They have the opportunity to see these principles come to life. |
A Special Message For…
Students
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“I believe journalism is a calling—a mission with the goal of truth and accuracy on all fronts. But journalists—especially student journalists who are just entering the profession—need to understand how they too are protected by the First Amendment. If your life’s work is to be a fine journalist, this is essential to realizing your dream.”
Soledad O’Brien
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Anchor, American Morning, CNN
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It’s Your Voice — Use It
As student journalists and as citizens, you have the right to discuss the issues that matter to you and your peers. You have the right to be heard. The Student Press Law Center exists to help you put these fundamental freedoms into practice; we believe you will learn to cherish them as a result.
Whether you work on a student newspaper, yearbook, radio or television broadcast or publish online, you hold the future of the First Amendment in your hands. Every high school or college student journalist can play a part in defending the right of young people to speak and publish freely.
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Journalism Educators
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“The Student Press Law Center can be a lifeline for media advisers. It gives teachers the knowledge and support they need to help students produce excellent, legally sound journalism”
Charles O’Malley
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Director (retired), Columbia Scholastic Press Association
at Columbia University
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Our First Freedom — Help Students Believe In It
The protections for free expression provided by the First Amendment belong to all Americans, including the students you teach and advise. Young journalists must have the ability to discuss the issues that matter to them. They deserve to have their voices heard. The Student Press Law Center exists to help students put these fundamental freedoms into practice. We give teachers and media advisers the tools they need to help students cherish the First Amendment.
Whether your students work on a student newspaper, yearbook, radio or television broadcast or publish online, they hold the future of the First Amendment in their hands. As one who shapes young journalists, you can play a part in sustaining their right to speak and publish freely and responsibly.
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Journalists
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"SPLC is a valuable resource for young journalists. The guidance and expertise it provides are more critical than ever. With the press facing challenges on so many fronts, it's comforting to know SPLC is out there fighting for First Amendment causes."
Caesar Andrews
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Editor, Gannett News Service
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Our First Freedom — and How You
Can Help Students Believe In It
If our free press is to survive and thrive, the next generation of journalists must be standard bearers. If we want high school and college students to defend the right of all Americans to speak and publish freely, they should be allowed to discuss the issues that matter to them. The Student Press Law Center wants young people to cherish and practice these fundamental freedoms. We help students, teachers and media advisers understand how to do just that.
The future of the First Amendment is in the hands of students who work on student newspapers, yearbooks, radio or television broadcasts or who publish on the Internet. They are future news consumers — the ones who will ensure the survival of all news media — and your future professional peers. You can play a part in sustaining their right to speak and publish freely and responsibly.
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News Executives
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“At a time when too many students (and adults, as well) seem indifferent to the need for a free press, the student media send a powerful and upbeat message that the press must be free for all-students included.”
Floyd Abrams
Media Attorney
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Partner, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
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Our First Freedom — Help Students Believe In It
If our free press is to survive and thrive, the next generation of journalists must be standard bearers. If we want high school and college students to defend the right of all Americans to speak and publish freely, they should be allowed to discuss the issues that matter to them. The Student Press Law Center wants young people to cherish and practice these fundamental freedoms. We help students, teachers and media advisers understand how to do just that.
The future of the First Amendment is in the hands of students who work on student newspapers, yearbooks, radio or television broadcasts or who publish online. They are future news consumers — the ones who will ensure the survival of all news media — and your future employees. You can play a part in sustaining the First Amendment by ensuring their ability to speak and publish freely and responsibly.
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Attorneys
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“At a time when too many students (and adults, as well) seem indifferent to the need for a free press, the student media send a powerful and upbeat message that the press must be free for all-students included.”
Floyd Abrams
Media Attorney
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Partner, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
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If our fundamental constitutional principles are to survive and thrive, young people must be standard bearers. If we want high school and college students to defend the right of all Americans to speak and publish freely, they should be allowed to discuss the issues that matter to them. The Student Press Law Center wants young people to cherish and responsibly practice First Amendment freedoms; we help students and educators understand how to do just that.
The future of the First Amendment is in the hands of high school and college journalists who work on student newspapers, yearbooks, radio or television broadcasts or who publish online. You can play a part in sustaining their right to speak and publish freely and responsibly.
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Friends of the First Amendment
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“The Student Press Law Center helps young people believe in the Constitution and appreciate the role the law plays in reporting the news. I applaud the Center's efforts to teach student journalists about all their legal rights and responsibilities, from libel law to press freedom. This is vitally important work.”
Greta Van Susteren
Honorary Chair, Tomorrow’s Voices
Host, On the Record, Fox News Channel
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Our First Freedom — and How You
Can Help Students Believe In It
If we want high school and college students to defend the right of all Americans to speak and publish freely, they need to experience those freedoms firsthand by being allowed to discuss the issues that matter to them. The Student Press Law Center wants young people to cherish and responsibly practice First Amendment freedoms; we help students and educators understand how to do just that.
The future of the First Amendment is in the hands of high school and college journalists who work on student newspapers, yearbooks, radio or television broadcasts or who publish online. You can play a part in sustaining their right to speak and publish freely and responsibly.
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