Can I Publish This?
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SPFI's clickable guide to common media law and First Amendment questions. Learn more about topics like defamation and privacy law.
Press Freedom
What We Defend
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.â€
On college campuses, student journalists play a pivotal role in keeping other students informed about the actions of administrators, student governments, and more. FIREdefends 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
Defending the Free Student Press
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.
SPFI’s 24-Hour Hotline
Contact Us
If you face censorship, call 717-734-SPFI (7734) for guidance, resources, and answers to your legal questions.
Warning signs of student newspaper censorship
Report
Colleges are more obsessed with ‘protecting the brand’ than they’ve ever been before. The result? An epidemic of student media censorship.
Newsdesk
Stay Informed
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the press freedom news you need to stay informed.
Student Press Training Videos
Libel? Privacy? Intellectual property? When you’re producing a publication, there are so many legal risks to keep in mind. But don’t fear! We’ll go over tips and tricks for reviewing your own content to keep you out of the courtroom and in the newsroom.
Role of student publications on college campuses.
Lesson
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.
Have Your Rights Been Violated?
If you are a student journalist or newspaper editor facing censorship or retaliation for exercising freedom of the press, reach out to FIREto learn more about how we can help protect your rights.
Free PRESSED: How Administrative Censorship is Squeezing Student Newsrooms
We know from news reports—and from calls to FIREand other advocacy organizations—that censorship of student media does, unfortunately, happen. But what neither news reports nor the calls the requests for help we receive tell us is the prevalence of this problem. This series of surveys contained in this report was designed to help illuminate that question.
Joining our student newspaper gave me a voice, and unfortunately it’s going to take a lawsuit for the university to listen to it.
FIREhelped me defend my rights.
Student Story
When Haskell Indian Nations University silenced student journalist Jared Nally, FIREintervened.
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