Reporting on Campus Speech Amid Conflict
Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Brought to you by the Education Writers Association
For the last several months, college campuses have seen a wave of demonstrations and conflicts as a result of the Israel-Hamas war. Protests have erupted; students have been doxxed, and college leaders have stepped down. Amid the turmoil, lawmakers are cracking down on what “freedom of speech” means and for whom. To help education reporters — including student journalists — better cover these challenging issues, EWA will bring together three journalism professors to share their expertise and insights. They will discuss the First Amendment and challenges to academic freedom on campuses and offer advice on the best ways to thoughtfully connect, interview and elevate student voices.
This webinar is only open to active EWA journalist members. Apply for a free membership!
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Past Recorded Events
Student Press Freedom 101
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
Join the Student Press Law Center for this crash course in the law of the student press, including the court cases and advocacy that led us to where we are. Featuring SPLC’s Senior Legal Counsel Mike Hiestand, who has been working with student journalists since 1989.
Digital Dangers
Protecting Against Online Harassment
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
Student journalists are increasingly contending with the threat of online harassment, which attempts to intimidate them into silence. Learn from those who know first-hand the tools available to protect and support yourself (or your students). Featuring Taylor Lorenz, technology columnist at The Washington Post; Sarah Swetlik, The Greenville News; and Pratika Katiyar, SPLC student board member.
Op-Ed Boot Camp
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
This fan-favorite annual event is the perfect opportunity for student journalists to take your op-ed writing and pitching skills to the next level! You’ll learn from Steve Holmes (of the New York Times, Washington Post and CNN) everything you need to know to publish an op-ed that advocates for press freedom in your state or community.
The Challenges and Future of College Press Freedom
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
From campus hostility to financial and structural hurdles, it’s a challenging time for college journalism. But efforts are underway to transform and even restart programs, and powerful reporting continues to show the essential role of student-led media.
Featuring Nicole Markus, The Daily Northwestern; Wesley Wright, The ReNews Project; Jessica Sparks, Brechner Project for Freedom of Information; and Jackie Alexander, College Media Association.
Powerful & Persistent Reporting
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
Journalists must constantly overcome roadblocks to their reporting, and that includes student journalists publishing critical, in-depth stories from campus and beyond. Join us as Katelyn Polantz, CNN’s senior reporter on crime and justice; Majlie de Puy Kamp, CNN investigative reporter; and Betul Tuncer, editor-in-chief of The Pitt News at the University of Pittsburgh share their experiences and advice for student journalists battling access issues and wanting to take their reporting to the next level.
Scholastic Journalism Week
Feb. 19-23, 2024
Brought to you by the Journalism Education Association
This year’s theme is “Here to Stay,” in honor of JEA’s centennial. Although numerous things have changed since 1924, JEA’s goal of supporting free and responsible scholastic journalism has remained. From newspapers and yearbooks to podcasts and New Voices, JEA has spent a century celebrating students and advisers who have created exceptional journalism and pushed the importance of scholastic journalism from inside and outside their classrooms. For Scholastic Journalism Week, we will celebrate all things JEA, your adviser, your program, your classroom and your peers.
Inside the Fight for Public Records
A training session by and for student journalists in California
Brought to you by the First Amendment Coalition
Join us for a skill-building webinar designed by and for student journalists on how to use public records to tell important stories. The one-hour session will feature (1) examples of real-world reporting you can replicate at your high school or college, (2) a tutorial on how to successfully write and submit your first records request, and (3) an introduction to open-government resources available to you! This webinar is designed for high school and college student journalists and their allies, with a specific focus on the California Public Records Act.
‘The Future is Ours’ Free Virtual Screening
Brought to you by the Journalistic Learning Initiative
Join the Journalistic Learning Initiative (JLI) for a Student Press Freedom Day screening of “The Future Is Ours: Gen Z Speaks Out,” a short documentary that highlights the varying viewpoints of a crosssection of high school journalists on today’s most pressing issues. The virtual screening will be followed by a Q&A about the documentary with JLI Executive Director Ed Madison.
I’m a Press Lawyer; AMA
Brought to you by the Student Press Freedom Initiative at FIRE
Bring your press law questions for this Instagram Live with the Student Press Freedom Initiative at FIRE.
Student Journalists in the Fight Against Disinformation
Brought to you by PEN America’s Journalism & Disinformation Program
How does campus gossip become a national news story? In this one-hour presentation, PEN America will explain disinformation tactics, share online verification tips and tools from working journalists, and offer ways that student reporters can counter false narratives before they spread.
Data-Driven Coverage of Press Freedom
Brought to you by the Student Press Law Center
Join Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) on February 22, 2024 at 7 p.m. EST for a virtual training on using the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker for your reporting and a discussion of why covering press freedom issues matters for journalists and their readers.
Defending Student Press Freedom
Brought to you by the National Coalition Against Censorship
Join NCAC and the Student Advocates for Speech for a discussion about the value of student journalists and their role in shaping civic culture in their schools and communities in an election year.
Review just a few of the many 2023 events that made up the previous Student Press Freedom Day:
Twitter Space: Students Defending Democracy in Thailand & US #StudentPressFreedomDay
Student Press Freedom Day 2023
Brought to you by Human Rights Watch and SPLC
Join us on Student Press Freedom Day to discuss how students in Thailand and the United States are on the frontlines of defending democracy.