Student journalists at The Spoke, Conestoga High School’s highly regarded student newspaper, are working hard to ensure that all student newspapers have the same right of free speech awarded to journalists in other media, writes J.F. Pirro for Main Line Today.

One of the programs they are pursuing is Pennsylvania’s “New Voices” initiative. This nonpartisan grassroots movement has the goal of instituting state-by-state protection of student press. New Voices laws now exist in 14 states, and the Pennsylvania version is in the works as the Free School Media Act, co-sponsored by State Sen. Andy Dinniman.

Cyndi Hyatt, The Spoke’s co-adviser, along with Susan Houseman Gregory, and students who write for the paper have also been in contact with Dinniman’s office regarding the initiative. If it passes, the bill would prohibit school officials from taking part in any prior review of texts and forbid limiting access to school media facilities. Among other things, the bill would also protect advisors.

“We’re protective of our advisors,” said Claire Guo, The Spoke’s co-editor-in-chief. “When trying something controversial or dangerous, they’re laying their jobs on the line.”

Read more about student journalism in Main Line Today here.