| The greatest of all human rights are the freedoms of speech and expression included within the First Amendment to the Constitution. These allow all Americans to say what they feel, dress as they want, and print opinions that may not always be popular.; Throughout time journalists of all ages have endured criticism for printing questionable and controversial information. In student newspapers, however, rarely does one find a story of consequence, one that sparks criticism and casts a light of upheaval on the school system that supports it.; Student journalists across America have become victims of limited speech, whether by choice, by the hand of their teacher, or the jurisdiction of their administration. Research indicates that students are printing a very limited number of stories with any type of controversial content. All this would suggest a system of gatekeeping and an authority exercising censorship of student newspaper content, a direct violation of the First Amendment rights of high school students. |
