LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A Nebraska senator wants student journalists to be guaranteed the same First Amendment rights as their professional counterparts.

Sen. Al Davis of Hyannis introduced a bill Monday that would grant college journalists the right to exercise freedom of speech and of the press in school-sponsored media such as student newspapers, regardless of whether the publication is supported financially by the school or not.

Davis says the bill was inspired by similar legislation passed in other states to prevent school administrators from blocking unflattering stories. Davis says college students are given the right to vote and serve in the military, so college journalists should also have the right to do their jobs and hold leadership accountable.