SCJEA, JEANC Urge School Leaders to Exempt Student Journalists from Phone-Free School Act (AB 3216)

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California journalism advisors are imploring public school district leaders to adopt local policies to safeguard student journalists' ability to use smartphones while on assignment for their student media outlets. This proposed carve out will guarantee that students can continue to exercise their First Amendment rights even after they walk on campus.

"An exception to the mobile device restriction shall be granted for students actively participating in school-sponsored, curricular student media (e.g., newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, digital news) when using electronic devices for educational newsgathering, photography, audio/video recording or publishing tasks. Such use must occur under the direction and supervision of the journalism adviser or classroom teacher and adhere to the student publication code and California Education Code § 48907."

Read the full text below from the letter signed by JEA State Director Sarah Nichols, MJE.