Stuart-Backed Bill Protects Independence of Media that Partner with Public Universities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Working to protect access to objective news, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, passed a bill ensuring that media outlets affiliated with colleges and universities are not subject to editorial control by administration.

“All journalists are afforded the freedom of press, and that includes journalists at public universities,” said Stuart. “Full-time journalists at our universities aren’t subject to invasive oversight, and this bill clarifies that.”

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, Stuart supported 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. 

The Stuart-backed measure 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. 

The bill also grants immunity to public media employees from lawsuits over expressive content, allowing these employees to have the same rights as any other journalist. 

“The freedoms of speech and press are clear in the First Amendment, as press evolves we need to make sure everyone working in public media is protected,” said Stuart. “The full-time and student journalists at SIUE, for example, are super involved in our local press. We’re just codifying that those full-time journalists have protections, too.”

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