The White
House’s new stance on media and the press has fueled increased backing into a
Washington State legislation that would allow for less oversight of student
media publications by school administrators.
Bill 5064,
centered around freedom of expression rights for K-12 students in addition to
public colleges in the state of Washington, adds two sections to the original
law signed by Gov. Jay Inslee in March 2014.
The first
addition to chapter 28A.600 RCW under students’ states that high school students
shall have the right to exercise freedom of speech through student media,
regardless of where the funding for the programs come from.
On a broader
based level, the second addition to the chapter acknowledges student editors of
school-sponsored media have determining power on what is published, including
news, opinion and other topics.
Democrat Sen.
Christine Rolfes, one of 14 state legislatures backing the bill, said there was
a movement to preclude political opinions during senate discussions. The objection
was put to rest quickly, with the senator noting the point of the bill being to
allow for all types of speech legal under the constitution.
“The bill has
been around for a few years and this year there is a little more interest in
building up independent journalism,” Sen. Rolfes said. “High School students in
the Puyallup area have really been championing it.”
Four Emerald
Ridge High School students sued the school
district in early 2010 after a story in the student newspaper in 2008 was
published regarding students’ sexual history. The district won, claiming the
students gave consent to have their names published only to recant their
confession after the fact.
Sen. Rolfes said despite
the bill having a greater emphasis on high school students, the bill provides
equal growth and opportunity for college students as well.
Cody Cottier, current
Editor in Chief of The Daily Evergreen, the student newspaper at Washington
State University, said while no recent issues have occurred between the publication
and administrators having a clearer line will prevent future problems.
“Safeguards for free speech allow us to print what we believe students
need to know, regardless of how it reflects on the university,” Cottier said. “That's
essential to an effective newspaper, and in my opinion, more protections for
free press can never be a bad thing.”
With political demonstrations, like the “Trump Wall” built
in October 2016 by the university’s College Republican group, serving as an
example for freedom of expression rights for college students the ability to
have students feel comfortable while remaining within their legal bounds is the
goal of the bill.
With the university serving as a melting pot for different
people from different backgrounds coming together, WSU senior and Alpha Phi
Sigma president Gabriel Bell said having a healthy discussion in the classroom
should be the focus.
“I think it’s
important to be able to talk about these difficult subjects, especially in
class because that way we can challenge our own opinions,” Bell said. “That’s
really what we’re here for: to be challenged. To actually progress through
being challenged.”
The bill
currently sits in the House of Representatives with high school administrators
voicing the most opposition, according to Sen. Rolfes. In addition, the bill
does include previsions to aid administrators from a liability stand point, but
it will not prevent them from being sued over a publication.
Sources:
Christine
Rolfes: (360) 786-7644
Cody Cottier:
(360) 710-4482
Gabriel Bell:
(425) 280-9103
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