(The Center Square) – As a battle brews over freedom of the press at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a free speech advocate says student journalists at public universities are protected under both the First Amendment and state law.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression urged SIUE officials to respect The Alestle’s independence after the student newspaper alleged that the school’s communications department interfered with student journalists’ interviews.

Originally published on thecentersquare.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.