Free legal help & info for student journalists. First Amendment champion. Not affiliated with Southern Poverty Law Center @SPLCenter.
Washington, D.C.
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The @SPLC ‘s endless chain of replies of “hey you tagged the wrong SPLC” on twitter is almost as funny as their automated message that plays when you call that reminds you they are not the Southern Poverty Law Center
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
According to reporting from Poynter, calls to the Student Press Law Center’s legal hotline rose 42 percent from the 2022–23 academic year to the 2023–24 academic year. The number-one culprit? Censorship. bit.ly/45f7Dtt
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It takes a lot of courage for students to tell their principals they're wrong, even when the law is on their side. But as Ben and Madison suggest here, it's just another day in the life of a student journalist. We were proud to offer them our support.
An Instagram post about Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to wealthy communities in Marin County, CA, turned one California student newspaper into a free-speech flash point. The students say they were just doing their homework.
wired.com/story/epstein-file…
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
A lawsuit stemming from Indiana University's @idsnews fiasco is one of eight cases that the @SPLC is tracking and "that could have long-lasting implications for student press freedom and beyond." splc.org/2026/06/eight-stude…
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The Student Press Law Center condemns a federal court ruling upholding — for now, at least — the University of Alabama’s decision to shut down two student magazines, calling the decision a significant threat to student press freedom nationwide.
Read our full statement: loom.ly/runpBFs
ALT “The court’s decision flies in the face of nearly six decades of student press law that clearly designates student media as student speech, not government speech. Not only does the ruling permit the University of Alabama to get away with a blatant example of censorship, but it also jeopardizes the First Amendment rights of college student journalists nationwide.”
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It's been a year of tumult and uncertainty for student media at @IndianaUniv. Now, editors of the @idsnews say that, "for the first time in years, we’re at the precipice of a beneficial cycle."
An IU-appointed task force, which included student leaders, released its recommendations for securing the future of IU's student media. The report affirms editorial independence, which reinforces the university's goals rather than competes with them.
The ball is now in IU's court. It must choose to invest in student media, protect its editorial independence and create space for innovation.
Will administrators listen to their community?
Links below ⤵️
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➡️ The task force's recommendations: loom.ly/_ke99F8 ➡️
➡️The IDS editors' letter: loom.ly/vtbBPSo
➡️ SPLC's Mike Hiestand explains to the IndyStar the legal protections for editorial independence: loom.ly/usZ-_h4
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: The future of student media is now in IU’s hands. If the administration has learned from October, they’ll know it’s time to implement the task force’s recommendations. idsnews.com/article/2026/05/…
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
Student journalists face growing censorship and other threats, and @SPLC has their backs. I'm proud to serve on its board. Right now, donations go twice as far through a $20K challenge grant. Join me: secure.givelively.org/donate…
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
A CA school district ordered student journalists to take down two stories -- a violation of the state's student journalists' press rights law. @thomas_peele talked to @splc and FAC's @davidloysd about school admins squelching students' press freedom ⬇️ edsource.org/2026/high-schoo…
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Despite all the threats, student journalists persist. They are asking hard questions, telling essential stories, and seeking support. And we have their backs with free legal help.
Your gift helps us meet a $20,000 matching challenge, doubling your impact!
Give today: loom.ly/S5dflTM
ALT "This is a pivotal moment for student journalists. The threats are real — but so is their resilience.”
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
Daniela Raymundo was among four student journalists from Los Angeles Pierce College’s The Bull Magazine who were cornered by @LAPDHQ officers, ordered to show press credentials and escorted away from a protest they were covering in downtown LA on March 28. pressfreedomtracker.us/all-i…
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“After 13 years of dedicated study, I am very proud to have completed my Ph.D. and to return home on my own timeline."
Öztürk will continue her work in Turkey, after facing persecution in the U.S. "for nothing more than co-signing an op-ed advocating for Palestinian rights."
aclum.org/press-releases/aft…
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As student journalists face increasing censorship, retaliation and other threats, the Student Press Law Center is proud to announce four new members of our Board of Directors to help us meet the moment.
⭐ Christina Bellantoni, director of USC Annenberg’s Media Center
⭐ Rick Hirsch, director of the Collier Prize for State Government Accountability
⭐ James Libresco, a first-year student at Brown University
⭐ Kate Ortega, director of newsroom operations at Business Insider
Meet the new members: splc.org/2026/04/four-leader…
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We’re on our way to the National High School Journalism Convention this week!
Join us for two days of timely sessions covering a range of topics, including censorship, libel and protests.
Most sessions will be held in📍Media Law Central, but find all the details in the conference app!
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Today is #LocalNewsDay! As the local news landscape evolves, student journalists play an increasingly important role in informing their communities. Our partners at the @Cent_Comm_News find that millions rely on students each year for information about their community, state and world.
Student journalists are journalists. Today, we celebrate their essential contributions to the local news ecosystem. As they navigate an increasingly complex legal and political landscape to do this work, we're proud to have their backs. Today and every day.
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
Mike Hiestand states the rules of student press have changed in recent times. The @SPLC’s initiative is to equip students with knowledge on policies to avoid repercussions.
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Student Press Law Center retweeted
Join me in about an hour for a conversation as part of @ucfreespeech's annual #SpeechMatters conference, feat. @dbauder, @FrankLoMonte, @SPLC’s Mike Hiestand
uci.zoom.us/webinar/register…
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Each year since 1984, SPLC has recognized exceptional efforts of high school and college journalists in fighting for student press freedom and in telling important stories of their communities. This year’s Courage and FOI awards offer cash prizes! Nominate a student (or yourself): splc.org/awards
Special thanks to partners @BrechnerFOI @ManshipSchool @NSPA @acpress
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⚠️ TODAY: The release of the Epstein files raised questions that reach across the country, including on college campuses. How can student journalists effectively and legally pursue those stories?
Join SPLC for this event featuring @jkbjournalist and @kpolantz. Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…
ALT Following the Files: How Students Can Cover Epstein Connections on Campus
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Indiana University ordered the Indiana Daily Student to cease all print editions and fired its adviser in October. For #StudentPressFreedom Day, IDS co-editors Mia Hilkowitz and Andrew Miller shared why they won't back down.
piped.video/shorts/z2CU_zJmN…
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“If we don’t draw the line, then IU administrators and people in power will be emboldened to continue to do this until it gets worse and worse,” Mia said.
After much backlash, IU partially backtracked — restoring print editions temporarily and creating a task force to make recommendations about the IDS’s future.
“I’m very encouraged by what’s going on and by the leverage and power the students hold right now,” Andrew said.
Hear more, including where things stand now: splc.org/2026/03/students-we…
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Jim Rodenbush, the adviser who lost his job defending these inspiring students, recently wrote for @ProjectCensored explaining why he took a stand. projectcensored.org/silencin…
"When universities attempt to control the content of the student newspaper, they also promote self-censorship. Students learn the lesson quickly. Questioning authority can have a cost."
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