A new bill has been passed by the state assembly here in Wisconsin, possibly making it the 17th state to join the New Voices Bill. The bill states that student journalists from sixth grade to college cannot be censored except under rare circumstances. It allows student journalists to determine the content of their school’s media.
The standard that has previously been used can be shown in Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, a case from January 1988. Students in Missouri wrote an article on their peers’ experience with teen pregnancy and the impact of divorce. When submitted to the school-funded newspaper, it was immediately rejected by the administration. The students took the case to U.S. district court, stating that the removal of their article went against their First Amendment rights, but the court ruled that the school had authority to remove articles written as part of a class. This is only one famous example of censorship that student journalists have experienced.
If passed, the New Voice Bill would personally affect our school’s broadcast and newspaper, as well as all other schools in Wisconsin. It will make it so that student journalists can express their opinions more openly without the threat of censorship.
Social studies and government teacher Kelsie Barlow shared her opinion on the law, saying, “Constitutionally, the Supreme Court makes it so that when you walk into school, you don’t lose all of your amendments and all of your rights. So it sounds like this law is trying to put that into formality.”
Barlow later stated that she believes the change would be a positive thing that helps to empower student journalists, which seems to be a common theme.
Junior Arrow Schilling is a student in the Writing for Publication class, which this bill impacts. She said, “It makes me feel a lot safer.” She also said it makes her feel more confident as a student journalist.
Both Barlow and Schilling said they believe the law has a good chance to pass in Wisconsin.
Although this bill has not passed yet, it is raising the spirits of student journalists all over Wisconsin. Stay updated on if it passes through the State Senate.
