Freedom of the press protects the ability of journalists and news media to publish information free from official censorship. A free press serves an important role as the Fourth Estate in our democratic society, keeping the citizenry informed so that individuals may oversee the actions of the government. As Ida B. Wells stated, “The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press.”
On college campuses, student journalists play a pivotal role in keeping other students informed about the actions of administrators, student governments, and more. FIRE defends freedom of the press on campus by providing resources and advocacy for student journalists through our Student Press Freedom Initiative. SPFI's 24/7 legal hotline at 717-734-7734 means that college journalists never have to face an act of censorship or an urgent legal issue alone.
From Milton to The New York Times: How the free press shaped the free world
What I really can’t stand is that they did the same thing to a 19-year-old freshman for making an Instagram post...They kicked that person out, kept their money, and made a 19-year-old student homeless. As far as I’m concerned, that’s unconscionable.
David McNicholas believed in the power of student journalism — the power to give voice to the unheard, to hold the powerful accountable, and to shine a light on issues affecting his community. But when he published student submissions criticizing school officials in his campus zine, the Young Warrior, the Institute of American Indian Arts retaliated in the harshest way possible.
If you are a student journalist or newspaper editor facing censorship or retaliation for exercising freedom of the press, reach out to FIRE's Student Press Freedom Initiative to learn more about how we can help protect your rights.
SPFI's clickable interactive guide to common media law and First Amendment questions. Learn more about topics like defamation and privacy law.
A FIRE survey of 477 student newspaper editors at public, bachelor’s degree-granting institutions in the United States found that more than 60% of newspapers experience at least one instance of administrative censorship each year.
FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative (SPFI) defends free press on campus by advocating for the rights of student journalists at colleges and universities across the country and offers helpful resources on student press censorship and information on the role of student media.
If you face censorship, call 717-734-SPFI (7734) for guidance, resources, and answers to your legal questions.
Joining our student newspaper gave me a voice, and unfortunately it’s going to take a lawsuit for the university to listen to it.
After facing censorship, coercion, and stonewalling, Jared Nally fought for the rights of student journalists across the country — and won. FIRE filed a lawsuit on behalf of the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper against Haskell Indian Nations University and its president who issued “directive” forbidding routine newsgathering. A district court ordered the university to adopt sweeping policy reforms that will protect the First Amendment rights of students and safeguard the editorial independence of the award-winning student newspaper, The Indian Leader.
Student journalists and publications play a vital role in informing their fellow students about campus events, serving as a check on their school’s administration, and uncovering stories that outside media might miss. With more and more local news outlets shuttering, many college newspapers are the primary source of information about not only what’s happening on campuses but also their surrounding communities.
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