The Kansas Student Publications Act gives journalists, just like The Green Pride staff at De Soto High School, the freedom to publish content without the fear of administration turning it down because of controversy or political manners. In the official act under section 3a, it is stated that “School employees may regulate the number, length, frequency, distribution and format of student publications. Material shall not be suppressed solely because it involves political or controversial subject matter.” This gives student journalists the ability to pursue stories to inform the student body that administration may or may not approve of. However, it is also stated that if said content violates school policy or laws, that it can be taken down. This can be found in the printed copies as well, that state “Published items may not contain libelous, slanderous or obscene statements, may not incite or promote illegal conduct and may not cause a substantial disruption to normal school activity.”
This act is only enforced in seven states: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Oregon and Massachusetts. The other 43 states rely on the supreme court’s ruling requiring administration to give reason as to why they are censoring content. Having this act is important to student journalists because it gives them a higher level of freedom. However, it is also important to administration, as it requires both sides to actively work together to ensure safe content for the readers.

“My professional feelings are that the spirit of that privilege that is granted to our high school students in the great state of Kansas are another opportunity for them to model maturity and responsibility for the power of the pen,” Principal Dustin Mortenson said.

Mortenson also explained that while he thinks the law is beneficial, it also has some set backs from a professional point of view.

“I think it would be appropriate to be able to have some influence. Sometimes I am sensitive to things that others might not be aware of, just due to the nature of 860 kids, four grades, parents and communities. Sometimes I might be more sensitive to a news story than the author of the story,” Mortenson said, “Should that take place, I think it is appropriate for myself and the student or students to work together to understand both point of views. Not necessarily to change what is written, that’s part of them being a mature and responsible journalist, but to have a fair relationship so that they can understand a different relationship or perspective. After that, it is ultimately their responsibility to write what they think is the best response.”

Current co-editor-in-chief of The Green Pride, Sydney Hoover, stated that this act is important to student journalists.

“We are able to publish pretty much any story we want without being restricted, which is important because as aspiring journalists, it’s a really good experience to be able to write and publish controversial pieces and get feedback on them like we would for a big news source,” Hoover said.