The Facts of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier:
In 1983 at Hazelwood East High School in Missouri, a student written and edited
newspaper (in a journalism class) wanted to print two articles that the school
principal found inappropriate. One of the articles was a story describing three
students' experiences with pregnancy. The principal believed that the students
might be identified indirectly. Also, the story's references to sexual activity
and birth control were inappropriate to some younger students in the school. A
second article concerned a student who blamed her father for her parent's
divorce. The principal thought that article did not allow the father a chance to
respond. The school refused to allow these stories to be included in the
newspaper. Kuhlmeier and other studen5ts filed suit against the principle and
school district.
If you are only looking for case law, proceed to the Precedents Page.