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!
Interested in more First Amendment-focused high school resources? Be sure to check the rest of FIRE’s High School Curriculum materials.
Freedom_of_Press_LessonPlan