 
Senate Resolution No. 301
 
BY: Senator KAVANAGH
 
        RECOGNIZING  January  30,  2019,  as Student Press
        Freedom Day
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
January 30, 2019, as Student Press Freedom Day; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On January 30th, the Student Press Law Center is holding a
national holiday; journalism students and advocates around  the  country
will  be working on a variety of projects teach-ins, guest lecturers and
other activities to educate the communities on the First  Amendment  and
student press freedoms; and
 
  WHEREAS,   New   Voices   of  New  York,  the  high  school  student
organization in New York which advocates for student press freedoms,  is
a  movement to guarantee student journalists in the state the freedom to
report without fear of consequence; and
 
  WHEREAS, Proclaimed in 1993 by the United Nations General  Assembly,
World  Press  Freedom Day celebrates the field of journalism, freedom of
speech, and newsrooms  the  world  over;  observed  annually,  this  day
recognizes   the  work  of  journalists,  editors,  and  publishers  who
sometimes risk their own lives to ensure accurate coverage of  news  and
events; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  integrity  of  journalism is tied to the independence
journalists have to dedicate themselves and their work to  the  Code  of
Ethics as determined by the Society of Professional Journalists; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Journalism  is  a  pillar of democracy and a free press is
protected by the U.S.  Constitution,  the  responsibility  and  freedoms
allowed   therein   should   apply  to  student  journalists  guided  by
educational institutions as well; and
 
  WHEREAS, Student reporters are the next generation  of  journalists;
it  is  a difficult time for journalists as media across the country has
come under attack; having more  control  over  what  they  publish  will
support  journalistic  integrity  and  independence which is needed in a
democratic society; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
recognize  January  30,  2019,  as  Student Press Freedom Day; and be it
further
 
  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to the Student Press Law Center, and New Voices of New York
chapters throughout the State of New York.
Recognizing January 30, 2019, as Student Press Freedom Day

What's Happening

Why It Matters
