This bill addresses the speech rights of student journalists and employees or agents involved in creating public media at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. It amends existing law to clarify that public media produced at these institutions, which is defined as material created by entities receiving state funding, is not subject to prior review by public officials. The bill establishes that both student journalists and employees or agents of entities creating public media have the right to exercise freedom of speech and press, determining the content of their work without institutional interference.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that expressions made by these individuals will not be interpreted as representing campus policy or the institution itself. It also allows for civil action to be taken against public institutions for violations of these rights, with the possibility of awarding attorney's fees to prevailing parties. The amendments aim to enhance protections for free expression in educational settings, ensuring that both student and employee voices are safeguarded from institutional censorship.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:62-67