Press Freedom Battle at Marin County High School Newspaper
The Redwood Bark, the high school newspaper at Redwood High School in Larkspur, Northern California, has become the focal point of a growing conflict over press freedom, with various advocacy groups stepping in to offer their support.
Recently, the newspaper faced significant local backlash related to some editorial choices. A cover photo featuring a student movement in San Francisco was criticized for allegedly showcasing anti-Semitic sentiments, with phrases like “anti-student” and “Zionism” attracting complaints from pro-Israel community members. This led to an investigation by the Tamalpais Union High School District.
Additionally, an Instagram post highlighting names from the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files stirred even more controversy. The post named a French individual accused of having connections to Epstein. After a threatened lawsuit from a woman concerning the post, Superintendent Courtney Goode directed the students to take it down, which they eventually did, although it was later re-uploaded.
All these events led Erin Schneider, a long-time faculty advisor for the newspaper, to take a sudden leave of absence, citing significant pushback against her work.
In response to the situation, major press freedom organizations have rallied in support of the student journalists. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), based in Philadelphia, sent a letter to Superintendent Goode urging the district to halt the ongoing investigation and to stop any forms of censorship.
According to FIRE attorney Marie McMullan, federal and state laws prevent interference with the editorial independence of student publications. In the letter, she emphasized the need for the district to stop its investigation and any censorship actions.
Goode’s email response to FIRE indicated that the complaints about the editorial decisions had been addressed, including the restoration of redacted names. However, critics argue that initiating formal reviews based on complaints can have a chilling effect on student reporting.
The First Amendment Coalition of San Rafael also showed solidarity with the young journalists, calling for an immediate end to the district’s inquiry into what attorney David Roy described as “a single news photo.”
Roy asserted there was no legal violation in publishing the photo, highlighting California Education Code Section 48907, which guarantees student newspapers editorial control with minimal oversight.
A representative from FIRE noted they are not currently representing the students in any potential legal matters but are focusing on public advocacy.
McMullan criticized the district’s actions, stating that rather than supporting student journalists, administrators seemed more concerned with addressing third-party grievances. She pointed out that both the First Amendment and state law require school districts to uphold students’ press freedoms.
A parent of a student at Burke, Susan Harris, expressed hope that these developments would lead to clearer policies protecting media rights for students, aiming for collaboration between the district, students, and advocacy organizations.
