Courts Give Ammo to Censors

A U.S. appeals court recently ruled that a controversial 1988 Supreme Court decision allowing high schools to restrict the free speech rights of student newspapers may apply to public colleges and universities as well, Inside Higher Ed reports. “This decision gives college administrators ammunition to argue that many traditionally independent student activities are subject to school censorship,” said Mark Goodman, executive director of the Student Press Law Center. “I fear it’s just a matter of time before a university prohibits a student group from bringing an unpopular speaker to campus or showing a controversial film.”