A high school principal from Anytown, USA shuts down the student run online magazine based on claims of vulgarity and illicit comments toward the staff. Although the material is not subject to prior authorization from administration, the principal claims the material to be disruptive and otherwise distractive from classroom work and deemed the content less than appropriate for the given age and grade level. Many states have adapted laws that govern protection to student journalists’ enhanced press freedom; however, the First Amendment does not protect all persons equally, as a student’s freedom of expression may be limited if it is found to significantly disrupt a school day.
Facts
The school administration of Anytown, USA backs the decision of the principal of Anytown High School in his decision to cease further publication of the school newspaper. Although the newspaper is run by students who control all of the content, the principal and administration still holds the overall responsibility of maintaining a level of “censorship” as to not infringe upon the beliefs and standards set by the Board of Education.
This freedom of speech and press has been argued in multiple …show more content…
Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260, 273, 108 S. Ct. 562, 571, 98 L. Ed. 2d 592 (1988), the courts withheld the First Amendment Rights of student journalists were not in violation when school administration prevented the publication of “certain” articles deemed inappropriate. In this case, the article in question pertained to two story lines, on based on pregnant teenagers who shared their stories, the other regarding divorce (Hazelwood Sch. Dist. v. Kuhlmeier, 1988), though the names of the students were withheld to protect anonymity. The content was deemed by administration to be unsuitable for the younger