 
Assembly Resolution No. 575
 
BY: M. of A. Lupardo
 
        RECOGNIZING  February  24,  2022, as Student Press
        Freedom Day
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
February 24, 2022, as Student Press Freedom Day; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On  January  13,  1988,  the  Supreme  Court ruling in the
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case greatly expanded the ability
of school officials to censor student work; and
 
  WHEREAS, Established in 2018 by the Student Press Law Center to mark
the 30th anniversary of the Kuhlmeier decision,  Student  Press  Freedom
Day  is  an  occasion  to  celebrate the field of student journalism and
advocate for freedom of speech, and liberty from censorship; and
 
  WHEREAS, Observed annually, Student Press Freedom Day is a  national
day  of  action  when  student  journalists  in  the United States raise
awareness of the challenges they face, celebrate their contributions  to
their  schools  and communities, and take actions to protect and restore
their First Amendment freedoms; and
 
  WHEREAS, On February 24, 2022,  the  Student  Press  Law  Center  is
holding  a  day  of  action  known as Student Press Freedom Day; student
journalists must be empowered to tell  the  stories  most  important  to
their  communities,  free  from  overt censorship; the theme for Student
Press Freedom Day  2022  is  "Unmute  Yourself!"  a  series  of  events,
trainings  and  community  building  opportunities  designed  to  uplift
student journalists' voices and prepare them to fight for press  freedom
journalism; 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 empower student journalists; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  integrity  of  journalism is derived from 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;  recognizing  the importance of the profession 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 February 24, 2022, 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 February 24, 2022, as Student Press Freedom Day

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