This Thursday is the ninth annual Student Press Freedom Day, a national moment to amplify student journalists in your community and to stand up for their free press rights. 

Amid escalating censorship, intimidation and legal threats, student journalists are rising to the occasion. Across the country, they’ll be educating their peers about press freedom through op-eds, on-campus events and more.

Here are some ways you can stand with them:

1) Share on social media: Tell your followers why student journalism is so important to democracy. And if you were a student journalist, share what it meant to you! Be sure to use #StudentPressFreedom, and you’re welcome to tag the Student Press Law Center.

2) Report on local student journalists: Whether it’s a news story about what they’re doing for Student Press Freedom Day or a feature story on their challenges and successes, this is an opportunity to spotlight the essential work they’re doing at high schools and/or colleges near you. Here are seven things to know to aid your reporting.

3) Write an editorial or column: Explain to your audience why it is important to protect and support student voices through journalism, and to train the next generation of truth tellers. This toolkit has some ideas to help.

4) Republish this free-to-use story: The Student Press Law Center and other organizations have partnered to launch the Student Press Report, an editorially independent news desk to cover college journalism. Out this week, the first story is an in-depth look at the state of college journalism. You are welcome to republish this story and photos with credit (details here).

Of course, you can take these steps to amplify student journalism any time of the year! 

The Student Press Law Center, which organizes the Day each year, is the nation’s only legal organization devoted to defending and advancing the free press rights of student journalists. If SPLC can be helpful this week or any time, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Josh Moore at jmoore@splc.org.