During Feb. 23-27, 2026, Scholastic Journalism Week will be celebrated by The Journalism Education Association (JEA) and many student journalists throughout the country.
This year’s theme of “Press Under Pressure” shows the role of student journalists in a world full of unpredictable situations. Students navigate what it means to have freedom of speech, ethos, and coming across censorship. Social Media Manager, Raye Holmes, plans on spreading information about Scholastic Journalism Week.
“I am celebrating by making informational posts on our social media and giving people outside of journalism a better knowledge of what it [Scholastic Journalism Week] is,” Holmes said. “I want people to feel free to research more if they choose to do so.”
Throughout the week, each day has a theme. The topics include: not folding under pressure, and being confident within your work. Thursday, Feb. 26, is Student Press Freedom Day, to show the importance of having free speech. Journalism Adviser, April Gray, said she feels like she has a responsibility to make sure students know their rights.
“I feel like students often don’t understand that they do have a voice and certain rights of expression in schools,” Gray said. “One goal of Scholastic Journalism Week is to teach them about their First Amendment rights and help them understand that they can speak up and express themselves; they just have to know what laws protect them.”
Student journalists also have to be cautious about censorship. When reporting, journalists must use solid facts and evidence to support their work.
“I have never been censored, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen,” Holmes said. “I know if I ever was, I have a staff and outside world that would support me and help me get uncensored.”
Students around the country can celebrate Scholastic Journalism Week by posting work related to journalism and using the hashtags #SJW2026 and #PressUnderPressure. Students are also encouraged to submit to be featured on JEA social media during Scholastic Journalism Week 2026 to spotlight the work their staffs are doing. Gray said her staff has plans to celebrate the importance of journalism.
“This year, the advanced journalism students will be hosting a Shadow Day for freshmen to learn more about what we do in journalism,” Gray said. “Also, students from all journalism classes will be attending the Southern Illinois Scholastic Press Association Conference at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. We’ll also be hosting a schoolwide scavenger hunt for all students to learn more about their First Amendment rights and posting videos about Student Press Freedom Day on our social platforms and school announcements.”
Scholastic Journalism Week can be celebrated by anyone. You can find additional information about Scholastic Journalism Week and how people are celebrating at the Journalism Education Association’s website.
“Students should celebrate, even if they’re not in journalism, because understanding and exercising their First Amendment rights is essential in making sure that those freedoms continue to be protected in our society,” Gray said.
