Lawmakers at the Wisconsin Capitol are considering a plan that would guarantee student journalists freedom to cover the stories that they want.
New legislation would make it clear that high schools and universities cannot ‘exercise prior restraint’ over student newspapers. That means schools cannot edit or block stories that the administration doesn’t like. There was a hearing on the plan last month, and the legislation has support from both Republicans and Democrats. The proposal would clarify the law after a 1988 Supreme Court ruling that allows schools to edit student newspapers because those newspapers are sponsored by the school.
