Controversial Articles
A growing majority of Americans (68%) agree that public school students should be allowed to report on controversial issues in their student newspapers without the approval of school authorities, while only 27% disagreed. When the question was first asked in 2001, Americans were almost evenly split on the issue and those who strongly disagreed with the statement dominated the response. We have however seen a large change from 2001 through 2007 and into 2014, and now find that over two-thirds of Americans agree that student school newspapers should be allowed to
publish on controversial issues without the approval of school administrators. As one student says in an interview, " Administrators should realize that the world young people live in is not a fairy tale. Allowing students to write about their experiences can mean a world of change for them, and at the same time educate those in need. I've seen it happen. It's important now more than ever to have students educate each other, because many young people can't talk with their parents or other adults about personal issues without fear." |
Images borrowed from First Amendment Center