Wisconsin Activists Advocate For Greater Student Press Protections

Labor workers gather in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol as state legislators consider a proposed right-to-work bill in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. Opponents of a Republican push to turn Wisconsin... Labor workers gather in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol as state legislators consider a proposed right-to-work bill in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015. Opponents of a Republican push to turn Wisconsin into a right-to-work state began to converge on the Capitol on Tuesday for a rally and to testify against the fast-tracked measure. (AP Photo/John Hart, Wisconsin State Journal) MORE LESS
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) —
Wisconsin activists are pushing for legislation that would enhance
free-speech protections for high school and college media.

The effort comes two years after a controversy at Fond du Lac High School, where student
reporters published an article delving into sexual assault. Worried
administrators responded with a policy enabling censorship, launching
the magazine into a national debate over free speech in school-sponsored
media.

Though school officials ultimately backed down, the
magazine’s adviser, Matthew Smith, is part of a push for legislation to
protect student speech statewide.

The New Voices campaign is in
early stages in Wisconsin, and Smith is looking for legislators to sign
on. Nationally, the campaign has been gaining traction following
legislation North Dakota passed last year. Four states have introduced
similar bills, and activists hope others will soon.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.

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  1. Avatar for pshah pshah says:

    Wisconsin activists are pushing for legislation that would enhance free-speech protections for high school and college media.

    Not happening if Governor Walker has a say. He’s busy defanging the media and the Judicial system to keep the John Doe scandal at bay. Not to mention suppressing the vote of likely Democrats, such as young folk. And that’s when he’s not busy destroying the once mighty Wisconsin University system. My point being, he’s not a friend to the young and idealistic.

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