Student Press Freedom Awards (United States)

Award Categories

• Courage in Student Journalism Award
  • The Courage in Student Journalism Award recognizes student journalists who have demonstrated exceptional determination and support for student press freedom, despite resistance or difficult circumstances.
  • It is presented to a student news organization, student journalist or team of journalists who challenge censorship, onerous school policies, retaliatory funding changes or other obstacles to their ability to freely report on the issues that matter to their school community.
• Student Freedom of Information Award
  • The Student Freedom of Information Award recognizes a student journalist or team of journalists for outstanding and tenacious use of public records in reporting that promotes transparency and brings important issues to light in their school or community.

Award Information

• Courage in Student Journalism Award
  • High school: The award comes with a $1,000 prize, sponsored by the Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University. It is presented annually by SPLC and the National Scholastic Press Association at the fall National High School Journalism Convention. The cash prize will be split between the student(s) and the student news organization and, if applicable, between multiple winners.
  • College: The award comes with a $2,000 prize, sponsored by the Louisiana State University Manship School of Mass Communication in memory of “The Reveille Seven,” a group of LSU student journalists who, in 1934, were expelled for publishing criticism of Louisiana Gov.
• Student Freedom of Information Award
  • High School: The award comes with a $1,000 prize, sponsored by the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida. It will be presented at the fall National High School Journalism Convention.
  • College: The award comes with a $2,000 prize, sponsored by the Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Florida. It will be presented at the Fall National College Media Convention.

Eligibility Criteria

• The reporting should be produced by student journalists at high schools or colleges within the United States, whether it was created within student media, a reporting lab, class or other program.
• Anyone can nominate a worthy student, and students are encouraged to nominate their own exceptional work.
• You may submit multiple nominations by submitting separate forms.
• If applicable, you may also nominate the same student(s) for SPLC’s Courage in Student Journalism Award.

For more information, visit SPLC.