New California law protects school journalism advisors

[ColbertWatcher]

From the Los Angeles Times

New California law protects school journalism advisors

The so-called Journalism Teacher Protection Act, which became law Thursday, prohibits school administrators from retaliating against advisors for trying to protect student press freedoms.

The measure, the most stringent of its kind in the nation, closes a loophole in state law that for years has ensured free speech rights for students but failed to guarantee protections for advisors, according to supporters. They say administrators have been able to exercise de facto campus censorship by clamping down on journalism advisors.

(...)

In the last three years, at least 15 high school journalism advisors have lost their jobs or been reassigned by administrators who perceived stories as critical, said Jim Ewert, legal counsel for the California Newspaper Publishers Assn.

He said Colorado is the only state that provides similar protections for advisors. But the new California law goes one step further by protecting any school employee, such as someone who might help distribute a newspaper, from being reassigned or losing a job merely for helping ensure free speech.

(Lots and lots more)

--Los Angeles Times

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. That why you take it to the web

and if the school tries to smack down the student, the precedents align for a mid 5 figure judgment against the school.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Kick. n/t