Positioned at the intersection of legal education and journalistic purpose, JURIST has a unique insight into how essential student voices are to advocating for the rule of law worldwide.

The theme of this year’s Student Press Freedom Day, “Powerfully Persistent,” resonates deeply with our mission. Since our founding in 1996, JURIST has witnessed how student reporters demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of mounting challenges to press freedom. They pursue stories that matter not for recognition or compensation, but from a profound commitment to justice and accountability.

What makes student journalism particularly vital in today’s climate is its ability to operate in spaces where traditional media cannot. When established news organizations face financial pressure, political intimidation, or outright bans, student journalists often fall among the final lines of defense for unfiltered information. Their work — sometimes conducted with nothing more than a smartphone and determination — has repeatedly proven essential to documenting critical legal developments.

The global rise of authoritarian governance has made this function increasingly crucial. Across continents, we’ve observed sophisticated campaigns to undermine independent reporting: regulatory frameworks designed to criminalize journalism under the guise of national security, economic pressure applied through strategic corporate takeovers or control of advertising revenue, and direct intimidation of reporters and their sources. These tactics share a common goal — replacing factual reporting with narratives that serve those in power.

JURIST’s history bears witness to the irreplaceable value of student journalism in such contexts. Our law student reporters have provided eyewitness accounts from constitutional crises, armed conflicts, and systematic human rights violations. From early coverage of detainee treatment at Guantanamo Bay to field reports from the war in Ukraine to the coup in Myanmar to Afghanistan under a resurgent Taliban, our student journalists have illuminated legal challenges with grit, knowledge, and perseverance.

This reporting has often come at significant personal risk. Some of our journalists have continued their work despite internet shutdowns, government surveillance, and threats of detention. Others have navigated complex security concerns while documenting human rights abuses, aware that their reporting could trigger serious repercussions. Yet they continue because they understand that objective documentation forms the foundation for future accountability.

Law students bring unique strengths to journalism that distinguish their contributions. Their legal training provides analytical frameworks to contextualize complex events, particularly regarding constitutional principles and human rights standards. They can identify subtle erosions of judicial independence or legislative overreach that might escape notice by non-specialized reporters. This perspective is invaluable in capturing the full dimensions of democratic decline.

Supporting student journalists today is an investment in the future of the rule of law. Law student journalists reporting on local controversies may become tomorrow’s international human rights lawyers or constitutional experts. The skills developed through journalistic practice — rigorous fact-checking, ethical source protection, and clear communication of complex issues — prepare them to defend the rule of law and human rights professionally.

JURIST’s three decades of experience have shown us the transformative impact of student reporting. Our reporters’ work has informed international legal responses, contributed to academic discourse, and created permanent records of events some would prefer to erase from history. Their persistent coverage embodies journalism’s highest purpose — revealing truth even when powerful interests seek to obscure it.

On Student Press Freedom Day, we call on institutions, governments, and citizens to recognize student journalism not as a training exercise but as essential democratic infrastructure. In an era where information itself is contested territory, these young journalists represent an invaluable resource that democratic societies cannot afford to lose.