Student Press Freedom Day takes place today, Feb. 22.

It celebrates student journalists, whose rights are the same as professionals. This gives students protection under the First Amendment and state-specific laws, such as the Colorado Freedom of Expression law.

“[Students should have equal rights] in principle. Being that we’re a school, there’s probably some things I can see certain parent groups having a problem [with]. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you shouldn’t write about them, but maybe [have] some kind of stakeholder. Because being a minor is tricky,” teacher librarian Jason Parker said.

See below for the top 10 facts of Student Press Freedom Day.

1. Press Freedom Day takes place Feb. 22.

Student Press Freedom Day occurs Feb. 22, however, Scholastic Journalism Week occurs from Feb. 19-23. However, World Press Freedom Day takes place May 3.

2. Student Press Freedom Day is a national day where student journalists and their contributions are celebrated.

Due to the resources given to student journalists, organizations like the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the National Student Press Association (NSPA) and Student News Online (SNO), can hold contests and awards for students and different newspapers, yearbooks, and newsmagazines.

3. Student Press Freedom Day, created by the Student Press Law Center, promoted by to call to attention the unnecessary censorship of student journalists.

“I think there’s obviously the universal [rights] that you absolutely have. There are certain things that you say that are tricky legally when we’re talking about minors,” Parker said.

4. The theme for Student Press Freedom Day this year is “powerfully persistent.”

Themes in recent years have been: “Bold Journalism,” “Brave Advocacy,” “Unmute Yourself,” “Journalism Against the Odds,” “The Role of Media in Elections” and “Democracy and Keeping Power in Check.”

5. Not every state has laws protecting student journalists against censorship and other threats that journalists may face.

Many schools have their newspapers have to either go through admin and can’t write about any topic they choose, which is known as prior review. Controversies may not be able to be covered, due to their lack of freedom. 

6. This year will be the sixth annual Student Press Freedom Day.

Student Press Freedom Day started in 2017 to show that students don’t have to shed their First Amendment rights, and can report on anything.

7. New Voices is a student-led movement that works to restore freedom laws for student journalists. In 1988, the US Supreme Court enacted Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier which is used to sensor students’ voices.

New Voices was created in 1991 by the Jewish Student Press Service, an independent nonprofit founded in 1971. 

8. Without  New Voices laws, school administrators can legally censor and have control over what the students write on. 

This means teachers, principals and other administrators can choose whether or not stories get published, no matter how important those stories are. States like Colorado have laws that allow students to have no need to go through admin and report on whatever they desire.

9. Colorado is one of 17 states that gives student journalists the same rights as professional journalists.

All 17 states include Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

10. The Student Press Freedom Association has partnered with 35 organizations to celebrate and support student journalists.

“I think [Student Press Freedom Day] is special [and] is really important,” Aspyn Motarjeme ‘27 said. “It shows that all journalists need to be respected, just as much as adults do.”