Student voices matter, and they always will.

The New Voices Act, signed by Governor Phil Murphy in 2021, protects the free speech rights of student journalists in New Jersey public schools and universities.

According to the law, student journalists cannot be censored by school officials unless their content contains libel, slander, profanity, or violation of the law.

Admin can also restrict students’ work if it “incites students as to create a clear and present danger of the commission of an unlawful act, the violation of school … policies, or the material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school.”

New Voices protects advisors and school employees as well by preventing them from a penalty for refusing to censor students. The law applies to newspapers, yearbooks, broadcast outlets, literary magazines, and anything else prepared by student journalists and distributed among the student body.

The law cements the importance of student journalism, promoting the freedom of press and elevating the voices of the youth – a perspective often overlooked or ignored in the media.

The Hilltopper embodies these core values, providing an outlet for students to share their voices in a respective setting. Student voices matter, and if you feel passionate about sharing yours, don’t hesitate to attend a meeting!