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School Newspapers:
Can the Administration Determine Content?

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988)
The First Amendment rights of student journalists are not violated when school officials prevent the publication of certain articles in the school newspaper.

Facts and Case Summary Supreme Court Simulation
Talking Points Discussion Questions
Background  

Discussion Questions

After completing the oral arguments, the teacher informs the students of the actual decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in this case and discusses it with them. A list of potential discussion starters is provided below.
  1. What is the difference between editing and censorship?
    2.
  2. Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision?
    3.
  3. The Supreme Court effectively said that the school authorities could censor The Spectrum. Can you think of any instances in which school authorities should or should not determine the appropriateness of subject matter?
  4. Just because the Supreme Court said that school authorities may have the final word, does this mean that they should? Besides newspapers, what other forms of expression might school authorities control as a result of the Court's decision in this case?
    5.
  5. Does the Supreme Court's decision mean that school authorities can determine what is and is not appropriate in a school-funded paper?
    6.
  6. Could the principal prevent the publication of articles criticizing the school's administration by saying that they are inappropriate?
  7. Would the ruling in this case have been different if the school newspaper were written by members of an extracurricular club and not a journalism class?
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