PALO ALTO, Calif. – Editor-in-Chief Hanna Olson, of The Oracle, Mountain View High School’s student news publication, discussed the recent controversy surrounding student press censorship at their paper in a special lunchtime session at the Journalism Education Association (JEA) NorCal Media Day, hosted at Palo Alto High School on Saturday.

Mountain View High School’s administration faces allegations of censorship after students tried to publish an investigative piece on sexual harassment. Students also claim that their adviser, Carla Gomez’s, subsequent reassignment constitutes an unfair removal. These allegations would stand in violation of California Education Code 48907, which protects students’ and advisers’ press freedoms. 

In an interview with fellow student journalist and member of Palo Alto High School’s Verde Magazine, Nadia Soberg, Hanna discussed the impact of the controversy on the Oracle and its staff. With their journalism curriculum facing major shifts and the status of their publication in limbo, Hanna emphasized the morale difficulties within the staff. 

“I know that myself and some of my other writers feel that our voices haven’t properly been heard,” Hanna said. “We have not been consulted frequently or, honestly, ever in the creation of the new pathway for our journalism class. That’s been really hard because we don’t know what the future is going to look like very clearly right now.”

Despite the challenges of the controversy, Hanna chooses to continue fighting in defense of her staff and publication because of her belief in her rights as outlined by the law. California is one of 17 states that offers student publications protection of their right to free speech. 

“I chose to put my name on that letter to become a part of this action,” Hanna said. “Because I fundamentally think that the decision of my administration to try and persuade students to remove parts of that article, or to not even publish that article, […] was in violation of our rights to publish what we want to publish, what we can legally publish as a publication.”

While this case is still ongoing, Hanna hopes the Oracle will be able to reach closure after the event. An ideal solution includes the reinstatement of their adviser, a recognition of the administration’s actions and transparency around the future of Mountain View High School’s journalism program. 

“I hope that there can be some acknowledgment of the censorship,” Hanna said. “[I wish] that there will be a future that Ms. Gomez is a part of, and I want to receive more clarity about what kind of instruction or journalistic instruction [Mountain View High School] will get going forward.”

Nadia voiced her firm conviction in students’ right to freedom of press, and the need to protect it. She also expressed admiration for Hanna’s and the Oracle’s efforts. 

“I was shocked to hear that this story was unfolding at Mountain View High School,” Nadia said. “But I think it is so important that we stay diligent, and we have to push back because if we don’t, it only paves the way for future censorship. […] That’s why I’m so proud of Hannah and her team at the Oracle for their fight and [for] staying strong here.” 

Hanna remarked on her new understanding of student press law and her First Amendment rights through this experience. Although the situation was frustrating at times, she now recognizes the impact of news in high school and beyond. 

“I feel a lot more educated about my rights as a student journalist and, honestly, everyone’s rights to say and express what they believe in,” Hanna said. “When it comes to student publications, [this experience] reinforced my belief in the importance and the power of journalism, and school journalism specifically.”