Hawaii Governor Signs Student Journalism Protections Bill

By AUDREY McAVOY, Related Press

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. David Ige on Monday signed laws offering freedom of speech and press protections to college students publishing school-sponsored media at Hawaii public faculties and the College of Hawaii.

The “Hawaii Pupil Journalism Safety Act” additionally protects advisers from retaliation for refusing to infringe upon pupil press freedom.

Ige advised lawmakers and college students gathered for a invoice signing ceremony at McKinley Excessive College that he was the web page one editor of The Messenger at Pearl Metropolis Excessive College.

“Offering pupil journalists with the identical protections that exist for them within the business provides them real-world alternatives and supplies them a extra enhanced laboratory for democracy and studying,” Ige mentioned.

Althea Cunningham, a current McKinley graduate and pupil reporter at The Pinion, submitted written testimony saying college students ought to have the ability to chase and report the reality with confidence.

“Colleges are supposed to assist put together college students for the longer term. How is letting directors get away with killing articles they don’t agree with serving to our future journalists?” she mentioned.

Supporters say related legal guidelines exist already in 15 different states.

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