JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – For his ongoing efforts to support the rights of student journalists, state Rep. Kevin Corlew was honored with the 2018 Knight Award by the Missouri Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA). Corlew received the award during the annual Journalism Day on Wednesday, March 28 at Jesse Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The Knight Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service to scholastic or minority journalism, and who have furthered student freedom of expression in Missouri. Corlew has served as the sponsor of the Cronkite New Voices Act that would provide additional protections to Missouri high school journalists and advisers. Corlew’s bill has already received House approval this year and currently awaits discussion in the Missouri Senate.
The members of the MIPA Board of Directors selected Corlew for the Knight Award based on his “tireless pursuit” of the Cronkite New Voices Act and “its contributions to First Amendment protections for our students.”
“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work I have done in the legislature and this award only strengthens my resolve to fight for the First Amendment rights of our student journalists,” said Corlew, R-Kansas City.
