State Senator Carolyn Comitta with student journalists from Conestoga High School. Comitta and State Representative Melissa Shusterman introduced legislation to strengthen protections for student journalists.
Pictured (left to right): Top row – Rohan Anne, Cyndi Hyatt (PA State Director for the Journalism Education Association), George Zhang, and Saktisri Gowrishankar. Bottom row – Maya Shah, Ben Shapiro, Senator Comitta, Vaishnavi Sriadibhatla, Lizzie Sun, and Miya Cao.
State Senator Carolyn Comitta and State Representative Melissa Shusterman have introduced legislation to strengthen protections for student journalists in Pennsylvania schools.
The proposal was supported by students from Conestoga High School, who joined lawmakers at a press conference in Harrisburg to advocate for greater freedom and protections for student media.
“A free press is fundamental to our democracy. That’s why it’s so important that we empower and inspire the next generation of journalists to use their voices with accountability, integrity, and freedom in schools and communities across Pennsylvania,” Comitta said. “As a former public school teacher, I am proud to support this legislation and the vital role of local journalism and a free press in our schools and communities.”
Representative Shusterman emphasized the importance of protecting students’ voices.
“I have a lot of hope for the next generation of young people. They are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and we need their energy and leadership in our communities. Their voices also need to be heard, so passing this legislation to guarantee freedom of speech for student journalists is vital,” Shusterman said.
Student Journalism at Conestoga
Conestoga High School’s student newspaper, The Spoke, is one of the student journalism organizations advocating for these protections.
You can read the publication online at spoke.news.
