Today, Feb. 26th, is Student Press Freedom Day. The Student Press Law Center, the organization behind the event, is taking on a potent theme in response to the mounting pressure on student journalists: Resilience in Action. Student newspapers across the country are facing disciplinary actions, obstruction, and even arrests from their local authorities and college administrations in response to their constitutionally protected speech.
However, it’s not just journalists who have been facing growing pressure over the last year. The ability of college students to freely express themselves under their First Amendment rights has come under scrutiny by the current executive administration. From protestors like Leqaa Kordia being detained for advocating issues that the president takes issue with, to authorities targeting ends of the political spectrum they don’t agree with.
This level of uncertainty and aggression from politicians and college leaders can leave students wondering if their expressions are protected. Fortunately, Arapahoe Community College (ACC) is a public entity, meaning students enjoy broad protection of their First Amendment rights. At the state level, Colorado has additional laws protecting students’ rights to assembly and speech.
Additionally, at ACC, students benefit from a robust policy that protects student expression. “ACC recognizes that freedom of expression and assembly are important aspects of the educational experience. ACC provides opportunities for discourse, debate, sharing of ideas, and other expressive activities while operating and maintaining an effective, safe, and efficient institution of higher education,” according to ACC’s Policy on Non-Commercial Expressive Activity on Campus by the General Public.
Whether you are a student journalist, activist, or any other type of student who wants to freely express themselves, ACC gives space for that expression. However, it’s not solely the school’s responsibility to protect students’ First Amendment rights. “The best way to protect a right is to use it. So, everyone should be using their rights of free speech,” said ACC faculty Richard Corbetta.
Student Press Freedom Day celebrates those who exercise their rights to keep students informed. Yet, in doing so, it is important to remember that all students are currently facing unprecedented pressures on their expression. Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech are forever intertwined with each other, and the best way to celebrate one is to use the other.
In an era when First Amendment rights are a critical issue in politics, it’s in every student’s best interest to be informed about their rights. Free speech is essential to students’ educational and personal growth, and the ability to disagree is one they can’t afford to lose. “The most important thing to do is protect the rights of those you disagree with,” Said Corbetta with a hopeful smile.
