New Jersey New Voices Bill Passes
New Jersey’s New Voices bill passed unanimously on Dec. 21, 2021 in both the NJ State Senate and Assembly.
Later that day, Gov. Murphy signed the bill into law.
The law ensures student journalists their first amendment right of free speech, granting protection for them, and clarifying the rules for prior review.
New Jersey is the 15th state that has passed laws that strengthen and protects student journalists’ first amendment rights.
Many organizations and activists have been fighting to get this law passed. The Garden State Student Press Association (GSSPA), which helps NJ school publication advisers and students, has been advocating for the bill and has been working on passing it since 2015. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC), a nonprofit organization that aims to pass laws throughout the US that protect the rights of student journalists, has been working with the GSSPA to help pass this legislation in New Jersey.
BREAKING: Our New Voices bill to protect First Amendment rights of student journalists in NJ passed in both our state Senate (39-0) and Assembly (65-0) yesterday by unanimous votes!!!! Now it goes to @GovMurphy‘s desk. We’re SO close!!!! @SPLC @newvoicesnj
— GSSPA (@GSSPA) December 21, 2021
Sarah Shapiro is a senior who has been in The Valley Echo since her freshman year. She became an editor in her junior year and editor-in-chief in her...
Emily is a senior who has been part of The Valley Echo since her freshman year. This is her second year as an editor, and she loves being able to share...
