Legal Protection of Student Press Institutions as a form of Freedom of Expression

Rinjana Kurniawan

doi:10.55927/rxgjrp51

Authors

Rinjana Kurniawan Jurusan Komunikasi dan Penyiaran Islam, Fakultas Dakwah dan Ilmu Komunikasi, Universitas Islam Negeri Mataram Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/rxgjrp51

Keywords:

Freedom of Expression, Student Press, Legal Protection, Academic Freedom

Abstract

This study examines the legal protection of student press institutions as a manifestation of freedom of expression within higher education in Indonesia. Using a normative legal research method with statutory and conceptual approaches, this research analyzes constitutional provisions, human rights law, and press regulations related to student press activities. The findings indicate that although freedom of expression and press freedom are constitutionally guaranteed, student press institutions remain legally vulnerable due to the absence of explicit recognition under Law No. 40 of 1999 on the Press. This legal ambiguity allows institutional interventions that undermine press independence and academic freedom. Student press institutions play a strategic role in promoting critical discourse, transparency, and democratic values on campus. Therefore, legal protection should be based on the substantive journalistic function of student press rather than its formal organizational status

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