Chung Bill Protecting Independence of Media that Partner with Public Universities Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –  Working to protect access to objective news, state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, introduced and passed a bill ensuring that media outlets affiliated with colleges and universities are not subject to editorial control by administration.

“Freedom of speech and press are First Amendment rights, and this bill affirms this is the case for all public media employees at state universities,” said Chung. “We’re maintaining the free speech protections college students already have, and simply ensuring our full-time university public media staff have freedom of press as well.”

Many National Public Radio and public television affiliates across Illinois broadcast from college campuses, and their reporters and editorial staff often work as school employees. In order to ensure these partnerships don’t stifle journalists’ ability to report fairly and accurately, Chung championed House Bill 4420, which affirms free press and speech protection including all full-time employees working in public media at state-funded institutions of higher education. 

Chung’s bill makes free speech and press coverage explicit, to ensure that all employees in public media at college and universities can express themselves without the burden of needing prior university review or approval. 

“Full-time college journalists and media employees have rights to freedom of press like everyone else,” said Chung. “I was proud to introduce, defend, and pass this bill, and now I’m excited to see my colleagues in the Senate bring this home!”

The bill passed the House floor and now advances to the Senate for consideration.