 
Assembly Resolution No. 116
 
BY: M. of A. Lupardo
 
        RECOGNIZING  February  27,  2025, as Student Press
        Freedom Day
 
  WHEREAS, It is the sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
Thursday, February 27, 2025, as Student Press Freedom Day; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On  February  27,  2025,  the  Student Press Law Center is
holding a day of action known as Student Press Freedom Day; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  Student  Press  Law  Center  will  host  and  promote
trainings  and  community  building  opportunities  that are designed to
uplift student journalists' voices and  prepare  them  to  advocate  for
press freedom; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  Student  Press  Law  Center established Student Press
Freedom Day in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hazelwood School
District v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court case; this case greatly expanded the
ability of school officials to censor student work; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Student  Press  Freedom  Day  responds  to  this  case  by
celebrating  the  field  of  student  journalism,  promoting  freedom of
speech, and advocating for liberty from censorship; 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; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Journalists and media across the country, which are needed
in a democratic society, have come under attack; and
 
  WHEREAS,  New  Voices  of  New  York,  the   high   school   student
organization  in  New  York  which advocates for student press freedoms,
promotes the passage of the Student Journalist Free Speech Act; and
 
  WHEREAS, The integrity of journalism is derived  from  the  Code  of
Ethics as determined by the Society of Professional Journalists; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Student  reporters are the next generation of journalists;
recognizing the importance of the profession will  support  journalistic
integrity   and   independence  for  journalists  of  the  future;  now,
therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
recognize  February  27,  2025,  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 27, 2025, as Student Press Freedom Day

What's Happening

Why It Matters
