SB386 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Student journalists at public institutions of higher education, freedom of speech and freedom of the press provided with certain exceptions

Summary

SB386 would let Alabama public colleges and universities adopt written policies to govern student journalists' free speech and free press, with specific limits and liability protections for the institution.

What This Bill Does

The bill allows each public higher education institution to adopt a written policy on freedom of speech for university-sponsored media. It defines key terms like university-sponsored media and student journalist, and states that student journalists may exercise their rights to the fullest extent allowed by law, subject to several restrictions. It also says expressions by student journalists are not the university's policy and that the university is not liable for those expressions. The policy must be accessible to students and their parents and would take effect on October 1, 2016.

Who It Affects

• Public colleges and universities in Alabama: may adopt and publish a written policy on student journalists' freedom of speech and press.
• Student journalists at these institutions: gain protected rights to free speech and press within legal limits, with the university not being liable for their expressions and the university policy not deemed to reflect student expressions.

Key Provisions

• Defines terms: institution of higher education, university-sponsored media, and university policy.
• Allows each institution to adopt a written university policy on freedom of speech for university-sponsored media, including reasonable provisions and making the policy available to students and their parents.
• Affirms student journalists may exercise freedom of speech and press to the fullest extent permitted by law, but prohibits libel/slander, unwarranted invasions of privacy, violations of law, incitement to unlawful acts or disruption, and obscenity in university-sponsored media.
• States that expressions by student journalists are not expressions of university policy and that the university is not liable for such expressions.
• Effective date: October 1, 2016.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Colleges and Universities