The issue: The Kentucky Student Press Bill, currently waiting a hearing from the state House Education Committee, would allow high school journalists to make content decisions in student media.

Our view: This bill would allow students to learn about the rights and responsibilities of the press and all those who favor true freedom of the press should show their support to help get it passed.

Ever since the Hazelwood decision of 1988 and the establishment of prior review, high school journalists have been handicapped by an inability to fully exercise their First Amendment rights in a school publication.

It would be ridiculous for an aspiring math major to enter college with no knowledge of a calculator or for an upcoming biology major to have never peered through a microscope before stepping on campus.

But for years, student journalists have been deprived of access to two of the most important tools in their arsenal by not being taught how to utilize their rights to free press and free speech.

The Kentucky Student Press Bill would give students the power to make the decisions about the content of their media and encourage advisers to actively provide guidance to those students.

Opponents of the bill argue that high school students lack the maturity to make such decisions, but the Herald feels that teaching students to be responsible is the best way to help them mature.

Keeping in mind that high school journalism is still a learning experience for students, the bill would also protect schools and advisers that honor students’ rights from any ramifications that resulted from a student publication.

The allocation of greater freedom to student journalists is in everyone’s best interest and could help make the public more aware of what’s happening around it.

The bill would allow for important issues that would likely have been restricted by school administration to be covered, including sensitive topics such as teen pregnancy and teen drinking.

A Web site set up by Greenville sophomore Josh Moore details every aspect of the bill, including a list of journalism associations and newspapers that support greater freedoms for student journalists.

Another section discusses the efforts made by other states with similar bills and lists the states that already have protections in place.

The Herald encourages readers to write their legislator in support of this bill by going to kystudentpress.org and clicking on the “Contact your legislator” link.

Sample letters and guidelines are available to help readers get started with their letters.

Supporting a bill that teaches responsibility and maturity in young people should be a priority for anyone who cares about continued progress in Kentucky.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member editorial board.