Beyond the Byline

“It’s about more than just celebrating student media—it’s about protecting it.”

In this special episode, recorded as the grand finale of Scholastic Journalism Week 2026, we tackle the reality of being a student journalist in Texas. From "prior review" to administrative censorship, student leaders and legal experts discuss why the "New Voices" movement is more critical than ever for the next generation of storytellers.

Hosts Trisha Panicker (Eagle Nation Online) and Zara Bukhari (Three Penny Press) are joined by a powerhouse panel to discuss the legislative fight for student press freedom.

In this episode, we meet:

• Andrea Negri: Student publication adviser at Cypress Woods HS & Director of the JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee.

• Cameron Samuels: Executive Director of SEAT (Students Engaged in Advancing Texas).

• Grayson Marlow: Advocacy Associate for the Student Press Law Center (SPLC).

• Poojasai Kona: Managing Editor of the Raccoon Rambler & State Organizing Officer for New Voices Texas.

Take Action:Student journalists deserve the same protections as the professional press. If you believe in the First Amendment, help us turn these stories into law.

👉 Learn more at New Voices Texas👉 Legal resources from SPLC 👉 Advocate with SEAT

Follow us on social media for updates on the New Voices bill!

Trisha Panicker and Sydney Ortiz, student journalists and New Voices Texas officers, discuss the importance of fighting for student press rights in Texas. They discuss how supporters of scholastic journalism can rally support in their communities to pass a state law that will protect student journalists from censorship in all of its many forms.

Thank you very much for taking the time to listen and for your ongoing support. Stay tuned for new episodes!!!

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