JEFFERSON CITY • Legislation designed to protect student journalists from being censored by school officials advanced in the Missouri Senate Wednesday.

The measure, known as the “Walter Cronkite New Voices Act,” would require public schools and universities to ensure student reporters are given the same degree of First Amendment rights they would receive as professional journalists.

The proposal is similar to one approved last year in North Dakota, which would prevent school authorities from exercising prior restraint over student media except when they are about to publish libelous or slanderous material, invade privacy, violate state or federal law or incite students to create a clear and present danger to the institution.

It also would restrict authorities from disciplining student journalists or controlling their activities outside of school.

“We want to be seen as being on the side of First Amendment rights for student journalists,” said Rep. Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, the bill’s sponsor.

Journalism professor Bob Berglund of Missouri Western State University said the proposal could help the state avoid further court battles like the 1988 Supreme Court battle pitting student journalist Cathy Kuhlmeier against the Hazelwood School District.

Kuhlmeier was editor of her high school newspaper when the school’s principal barred the paper from printing articles on teenage pregnancy and alcohol addiction.

The bill has already been approved in the House. It now awaits further debate in the Senate.

The legislation is House Bill 2058.

?Kurt Erickson • 573-556-6181

@KurtEricksonPD on Twitter

kerickson@post-dispatch.com

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