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Committee approves bill extending student‑journalist protections to higher education
Summary
Representative Mark Lowry presented legislation to extend free‑expression protections for student journalists to higher education; sponsors said universities and press groups vetted the language and the committee approved the bill by voice vote.
Representative Mark Lowry introduced a bill to extend protections for student journalists to higher education institutions, citing a recent controversy involving Springdale High School student reporting that prompted broader conversation. Lowry said the language was vetted by university counsel, campus advisers and the press association and that the measure clarifies immunity and liability protections for universities, departments and faculty advisers.
Committee members asked whether the bill effectively equalizes protections between secondary and postsecondary student journalists; Lowry said it does. No members of the public opposed the measure; the committee approved it by voice vote.
If enacted, the bill would extend statutory protections similar to those in place for secondary schools to student journalists at public colleges and universities.
