In a significant stride towards protecting the First Amendment rights of student journalists, Wisconsin has finally witnessed progress on the eagerly anticipated New Voices bill. Assembly Bill 551 aims to empower student journalists by allowing them to determine the content of their publications at public secondary schools and colleges.

The bill, which has been long-awaited by student journalists and advocates for free speech, takes a stance against administrative prior restraint. It also establishes clear guidelines for legally defined forms of expression that are considered unprotected, such as libel, obscenity, invasion of privacy or speech that could cause substantial disruption of school activities or violate state and federal laws.

This legislation represents a crucial step in ensuring that students at all levels have the freedom to ask questions, report on topics important to them and their communities and express themselves without fear of censorship or arbitrary content removal.

The New Voices bill, Assembly Bill 551, has gained bipartisan support as it moves through the legislative process. It seeks to strike a balance between upholding First Amendment rights and addressing concerns about the potential for unchecked content that might disrupt the learning environment or infringe on the rights of others.

Advocates argue that this bill, once enacted, will encourage young journalists to explore and report on critical issues, provide a platform for diverse voices, and equip students with essential skills for responsible and informed citizenship.