ST. PAUL, Minn - Young people continue to stand up and speak out at the Minnesota State Capitol this session.
We've already seen the calls for gun control and school safety. Now, a group of high school journalists wants to make sure students' first amendment rights are protected.
The group featured nearly two dozen student journalists from six Twin Cities area high schools.
"A lot of the schools we have with us today have been prior reviewed or censored by administration and we're here to share a lot of those stories," St. Louis Park senior Annabella Stratham says.
The group visited the capitol Monday in support of H.F. 1501 and S.F. 1562.
Democrat representative Cheryl Youakim authored the house version of the bill to better define what freedoms student journalists should have.
"Currently students are seeing some cases where districts will censor student's reports or stories if it might make the school district look bad," Youakim says.
In her bill, the only way school administrators would be able to censor a story is if there's libel, slander or if the story has the potential to disrupt the school day.
The bill would also ensure students are receiving the proper education so they can report unbiased and accurate news.
Youakim says 15 other states, including North Dakota and Illinois, have passed similar bills.
She says her bill was first presented two years ago, but she hasn't received a hearing yet.
"I wanted to bring student journalists who could show the importance of the bill, in hopes of getting a hearing," Youakim says.
Lori Keekley advises the St. Louis Park student newspaper.
She says some of the six student papers that were represented at the capitol Monday have faced censorship at least once over the last few years.
"The administration doesn't always like what my students cover, but my students will work to cover the most accurate versions of the accounts of the day," Keekley explains.
She says this new generation is proving to be the most vocal one yet, and if they're to become tomorrow's leaders, she feels they should be allowed to share their voice without fear of being silenced.
She says this new generation is proving to be the most vocal one yet.
"Studies show students who are active in student journalism are more media literate and are more civically engaged," Keekley says. "This training carries with them the rest of their lives.
For more information on both bills, click here.