Student journalist bill moves forward in Mo. House
The Missouri Senate committee on education approved the “Walter Cronkite New Voices Act“Wednesday.
If passed the bill would allow student journalists more comprehensive editorial control over publications.
Currently, under theHazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier decision, student journalists bear the responsibility of justifying any questionable or controversial news content for publication.
“(The Walter Cronkite New Voices Act) would shift the burden to school administrators who want to exercise prior restraint and prevent articles from going to print,” said State Rep. Elijah Haahr, the bill’s sponsor.
The bill outlines four instances when school officials would be allowed to use prior restraint, namely if the content; 1) is libelous or slanderous, 2) constitutes an unwarranted invasion of privacy, 3) violates federal or state law; or 4) creates substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.
