I love that this bill aims to strengthen First Amendment rights. I love that Oregon is getting some national recognition for defending First Amendment rights and forstrengthening both media and education. I love that some of my favorite legislators sponsored this.

I'm a little confused on the specifics, though, specifically the "student media advisor" it names. The student media advisor's role under this statute appears vague, and seems like it could provide a back door for a school to exercise censorship.

Furthermore, the student publication I served on for a couple (few?) semesters - the Reed College Quest - would not be covered, I don't think…we never had such an "advisor."

Here are the relevant bits:

(b) 'School-sponsored media' means materials that are ... prepared under the direction of a student media adviser. ... (d) 'Student media adviser' means a person who is employed, appointed or designated by a public institution of higher education to supervise, or provide instruction relating to, school-sponsored media.

Finally, it's worth noting a bit of history from the U of O's Daily Emerald. In 1966 it ran a story that quoted anonymous sources who admitted smoking marijuana. Managing editor Annette Buchanan was fined, but not jailed, for not revealing her sources. The case went as high as the Oregon Supreme Court, but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal.

That case formed prompted legislators to pass Oregon's "shield law" shortly thereafter. Also, it prompted students to establish a non-profit organization to produce the Emerald.

So if I understand correctly, this law doesn't apply to the Emerald, either - it's already entirely independent of any oversight by the U of O.

See here for a little more history. If anybody knows a better source, please post it.

There is more good coverage of this story, including controversy over the Senate amendments, here.

Huge credit to Rep. Larry Galizio for his work on HB 3279. Larry didn't take this on to curry favor with an interest group or lobbyist, and there weren't big guns backing the bill within the Capitol. Instead, he wrote and championed HB 3279 because he is personally committed to the idea of a free student press -- the model of public-spirited lawmaking.

Incidentally, the floor debate on HB 3279 in the House was (in my opinion) one of the better we had all session. Listen to it here (advance to 1:51:50 -- it lasts about a half-hour). You can practically hear minds being changed during the debate. Opinions did not divide strictly along partisan lines, and Reps. Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton) and Bill Garrard (R-Klamath Falls) speak quite eloquently in support. (Note that we were debating the A-Engrossed version of the bill, not the version that became law.)

Ben Cannon State Representative

…and now you know why I called him one of my favorite legislators.

Ben, please continue to post notable audio of good legislative sessions. What a great way to get to know our representatives.

But Ben, what of this "student media adviser?" Seems like a way for a school to exert control, if it so chooses, but dodge accountability. Seems that a whole lot of authority is explicitly granted to that position, without any guidelines around how that person is chosen, or how their performance is evaluated.

If the idea is for students to be in control - especially in a college scenario, where said students are adults, and could be sued if they violate the law - then why introduce this odd adviser figure?

A side note…the lead in the USA Today story is just silly. "The nation's first law to help protect Oregon high school and college journalists" - like another state would pass a law regarding Oregon students?! California already passed a similar law, and I think several other states as well. See here.

I am one of those "student media advisors" for an educational access television channel and radio station. I am thrilled to think about a new school year where my students have more choices about what they can cover.

I work for a great school district but we have had to debate certain pieces for air. My students are earning college credit while covering everything from live election night broadcasts to documentaries on meth.

I am grateful my local reps (Hunt and Tomei) were co-sponsors. This is a great chance to give students more opportunities to learn the rights and responsibilities of professional broadcast and print journalists.

Deborah, that's great. Can you offer any insight how you got into that position, or what the school district expects of someone in your position?

I think I chose my words poorly, and hope they didn't offend - I definitely think people in your position can be an excellent educational asset and offer valuable guidance. My question is only about the shape of the bureaucratic structure that picks 'em and supervises 'em.

Eric,

You wouldn't be thinking "Edge" would you??

Peter,

I was a radio and television news reporter for 14 years before I became a Broadcasting and Digital Media teacher. Like other advisors, I am supervised by my principal. However, I also work closely with the Director of Community Relations because the work of my students goes out to the community on cable access.

The district does expect professional broadcast standards, fairness and equal time when we are working a controversial issue. I expect the same from my students.