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Student journalists urge board to rescind memo that they say expands prior review; board says guidance will comply with Maryland law
Summary
Student journalists and press-freedom groups urged the Montgomery County Board of Education to withdraw a March 19 memo requiring blanket prior review of student publications, arguing it exceeds Maryland's New Voices protections; board leaders said guidance is intended to comply with state law and that students may appeal decisions.
Ian Chen, a student journalist at Richard Montgomery High School, told the board that a March 19 memo from Chief of Schools Peter Moran ‘‘instructs [principals] to designate an administrator to review and approve every single piece of student publication before it is published’’ and ‘‘includes a list of content that administrators are instructed to censor outright,’’ which he said exceeds what Maryland law permits.
Aditya, also representing a coalition of student journalists, cited the Maryland New Voices Act and said the memo’s vague censorable categories ‘‘go far beyond what is permitted by the law’’ and create a chilling effect on reporting. Student advocates noted endorsements from the Student Press Law Center and the Society of Professional Journalists and said their open letter and petition seek revocation of the memo and a clear timeline for a written response from district leadership.
The board heard recorded video statements from national press-freedom organizations. Dominic Coletti of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said the memo ‘‘gives principals excessive authority to censor several broad categories’’ and urged the board to restore the prior board-approved policy that the March memo supplants.
Jonathan Falk, an attorney with the Student Press Law Center, told the board that the memo was never adopted by the board and that broadly permitting administrative edits ‘‘weakens, not strengthens’’ the district’s legal posture. He urged the board to withdraw the memo and reaffirm the balance the Maryland Legislature intended when it passed New Voices.
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor responded to students and legal advocates by saying the district’s ‘‘guidance administered to principals is in relation to prior review, not prior restraint, and is consistent with the board's policies, the student rights and responsibilities, and the Maryland New Voices Act.’’ He added that students have a right to appeal decisions and that the district’s appeals office handles disputes centrally.
Board members acknowledged the students’ concerns and requested that staff handle any appeals expeditiously so reporting deadlines are not unduly delayed. The board did not vote to rescind the memo during this meeting; instead trustees asked staff to clarify procedures and timelines and reiterated that appeals exist for students who believe the law was not followed.
The board is expected to receive further documentation and may address the issue in future work sessions or meetings.
