Bill Text: NY K00135 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing February 23, 2023, as Student Press Freedom Day

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 22-10)

Status: (Passed) 2023-02-27 - adopted [K00135 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00135-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 135

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

        RECOGNIZING  February  23,  2023, as Student Press
        Freedom Day

  WHEREAS, It is the sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
Thursday, February 23, 2023, as Student Press Freedom Day; and

  WHEREAS,  On  February  23,  2023,  the  Student Press Law Center is
holding a day of action known as Student Press Freedom  Day,  with  this
year's theme being "Bold Journalism & Brave Advocacy"; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Student  Press  Law  Center  will  host  and  promote
trainings and community building  opportunities  that  are  designed  to
uplift  student  journalists'  voices  and  prepare them to advocate for
press freedom; and

  WHEREAS, The Student Press  Law  Center  established  Student  Press
Freedom Day in 2018 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hazelwood School
District v. Kuhlmeier Supreme Court case; this case greatly expanded the
ability of school officials to censor student work; and

  WHEREAS,  Student  Press  Freedom  Day  responds  to  this  case  by
celebrating the  field  of  student  journalism,  promoting  freedom  of
speech, and advocating for liberty from censorship; and

  WHEREAS,  Journalism  is  a  pillar of democracy and a free press is
protected by the U.S.  Constitution,  the  responsibility  and  freedoms
allowed   therein   should   apply  to  student  journalists  guided  by
educational institutions; and

  WHEREAS, Journalists and media across the country, which are  needed
in a democratic society, have come under attack; and

  WHEREAS,   New   Voices   of  New  York,  the  high  school  student
organization in New York which advocates  for  student  press  freedoms,
promotes the passage of the Student Journalist Free Speech Act; and

  WHEREAS,  The  integrity  of  journalism is derived from the Code of
Ethics as determined by the Society of Professional Journalists; and

  WHEREAS, Student reporters are the next generation  of  journalists;
recognizing  the  importance of the profession will support journalistic
integrity  and  independence  for  journalists  of  the   future;   now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize February 23, 2023, as Student Press Freedom  Day;  and  be  it
further

  RESOLVED,  That  copies  of  this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Student Press Law Center and New Voices of  New  York
chapters throughout the State of New York.