JEA
Center for Scholastic Journalism
February 19 – 25 is Scholastic Journalism Week. The Journalism Education Association(JEA) designated this period to raise community consciousness regarding the benefits of scholastic journalism. The JEA website has several suggestions for ways in which your students can be a part of this effort to raise awareness. (See http://jea.org/home/news-events/scholastic-journalism-week/). You may also follow Scholastic Journalism Week and tweet your own activities on Twitter @ScholasticJWeek / Hashtag #SJW2017.
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association is holding their 93rd annual Spring Scholastic Convention. This national gathering of student editors and faculty advisers to newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, video productions, and online media will be held at Columbia University from Wednesday, March 15 through Friday, March 17, 2017. Attendees may choose from 350 or more sessions organized in seven sequences: newspaper, yearbook, magazine, online media, video/broadcasting, law and ethics and advisers running simultaneously throughout the three days of the Convention. See the convention event site for more information. The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) will also be presenting their Crown Awards for 2017 during two separate ceremonies in New York City. High school print publications and online sites will receive Gold & Silver Crowns during CSPA's 93rd annual event. The Crown Awards ceremony will take place in the Roone Arledge Auditorium of the Alfred Lerner Student Center, located at West 115th Street and Broadway, in uptown Manhattan on Friday, March 17th at 2:30pm.
The Ohio Scholastic Media Association is holding its annual state convention at Kent State University on Friday and Saturday, March 24 & 25, 2017. Take part in the Day-of Contests, where students can compete against each other in news reporting, commentary, photography, editing or design. Head over to the FirstEnergy Auditorium to participate in the Swap Shop and share your publication’s finest and/or check out what other schools have done. Dine in together on Friday night for the awards banquet to cheer on your school and fellow student journalists, as well as hear from the special keynote speaker, Connie Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning, nationally syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate, and Professional in Residence at Kent State University.
The JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention will be held April 6-9, 2017 at the Sheraton Seattle and Washington State Convention Center. This event is a semi-annual gathering of high school journalists and advisers sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Education Association. This year's event will feature practical and professional learning sessions, high profile keynote speakers, breakout sessions for students from all media types, hands-on sessions and discussion groups. Interested individuals may follow this link to register online.
Center for Scholastic Journalism staff members Candace Perkins Bowen, John Bowen and Mark Goodman will all be presenting at the Ohio Scholastic Media Association and Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association conventions. Mark Goodman will also be presenting at the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Convention.
Center for Scholastic Journalism
Looking for information about legislation for student free expression in your state?
New Voices USA is a nationally organized, locally driven and student-powered movement to promote state legislation to enact student free expression.
The Student Press Law Center leads the project and works with other journalism education groups, including the Journalism Education Association and The Center for Scholastic Journalism.
Why get involved? According to New Voices Talking Points, “censorship is detrimental for students and society. Punishing students for their speech teaches them that censorship, often arbitrary and without limits, is acceptable. But in a society dependent on journalists and the public keeping the government in check, we cannot afford to have curiosity and confidence bred out of our students. We cannot afford to stifle today’s new voices because they are tomorrow’s media leaders and citizens.”
JEA supports and endorses many of the state bills and will endorse others when contacted.
Currently, 10 states have passed such legislation and one has state code protection. According to the SPLC, 15 others have taken steps toward such legislation. These states can be seen here.
CSJ hosted Nov. 18, 2016, a Legislative Symposium on state legislation. Look for videos, summaries and additional information soon on this site.
Some points from the symposium include:
• It is important that local groups lead the legislation. National groups provide background and assistance but the energy comes from within the state.
• Students should play a large role in showing why free expression is needed.
• Organization and planning are essential.
Additional resources include:
• Information in states with campaigns
• Importance of student free expression and widespread information on legislation