North Carolina Representative Tim Longest fights for Student Journalist’s rights

By Katia Torres, East Mecklenburg High School

For North Carolina Representative Tim Longest, civil rights has been one of his biggest goals ever since he graduated high school. A former student journalist himself, he values the transformative experience of student media.

On June 21, Longest spoke at the annual NCSMI press conference, attended by about 60 journalists, about his time in the legislature, co-sponsoring a bill to support high school journalism last year, and his personal journey as a UNC alum.

“It encouraged me to think about the role that newspapers pledge to society and also to improve my own writing and speaking skills,” Rep. Longest said. “I have a special appreciation for the role that students and student journalists have to play in presenting the news, addressing the concerns of young people, and contributing to our larger society through civic engagement and education.”

In the last year, Longest, along with Diamond Stanton-Williams, Allen Buansi, and Lindsey Prather, introduced House Bill 806—the Student Journalist Press Freedom Restoration Act —which was a proposal to help protect student journalists against the strict regulations of the First Amendment right to free speech. This is part of the Student Press Law Center’s New Voices program, a student-powered nonpartisan grassroots movement of state-based activists who seek to protect student press freedom with state laws.
According to the New Voices page, 18 out of 50 states have legislation protecting student journalists. North Carolina is currently not one of them, though this legislation could be one step closer.

He has also introduced a constitutional amendment that states that all government records should be public, although he did add that he does not believe this bill would go very far.

“The speaker has indicated that that bill is not going to be moving, although the speaker himself introduced a similar bill about a decade ago. You know, I am going to continue to work on government transparency issues, and I’m hopeful that we can get some kind of repeal or amendment to the public records language, pushed through not this summer then next year.”

His strong beliefs and goals have gotten him far in his 33 years of life. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, he was raised by 2 hardworking parents who gave him the values he has today.

After receiving a bachelor of arts in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2013 and a juris doctor with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2018, he decided to move to Raleigh and continue his passion for law and fighting for civil rights. He is currently a representative for district 34 of 120 in the North Carolina House of Representatives after being elected in 2022.

Surprisingly, he was one of the youngest state representatives in the state. He also serves on the N.C. State Association Appellate Rules Committee and the Raleigh Human Relations Committee.

“Essentially, this bill extends current First Amendment case law that protects the free speech rights of journalists on public issues to students in the school environment. And my hope is that it will foster the sort of civic engagement and the important role that student newspapers have in informing your fellow students about what’s going on in the world. And in cultivating yourselves as active participants in society.” Rep. Longest said.

Overall, throughout his short time in office, he has been an advocate for student journalist’s rights and the rights of all of his constituents. As time continues, he hopes to get as much done as he can and help the voice of the public be heard, even if it is one small step at a time.