FIRE K-12 press freedom resources

In a year that’s brought a great deal of discussion about journalism and the nature of the role of the media in our lives, Student Press Freedom Day, which will be celebrated Friday, is more important than ever. Press freedom has always been an important issue at FIRE, so we want to make sure students are equipped with the knowledge and tools to protect it.

To celebrate Student Press Freedom Day, FIRE has put together a mini-lesson to teach high school students about the importance of the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of the press. The lesson focuses on student newspaper thefts on college campuses and how these instances pose a threat to productive discourse, while teaching students why the Constitution safeguards press freedom.

Check out our lesson plan on newspaper theft below, then click over to our resource page for a PowerPoint presentation on freedom of the press that’s ready to use, and more! 

In need of First Amendment resources for teachers? The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has you covered. Our "First Things First" First Amendment textbook for college undergraduates explores the fundamentals of modern American free speech law. Meanwhile, our K-12 First Amendment curriculum modules help educators enrich and supplement their existing instruction on First Amendment and freedom of expression issues in middle and high school classrooms. Explore thefire.org for even more First Amendment educational resources.