ORONO – High school newspaper writers, editors and advisers from around the state will gather at the University of Maine May 15 for the ninth annual Student Journalism Conference.

Throughout the day, they will work with professional Maine journalists in a variety of workshops and discussions focusing on the timely conference theme, “Freedom Under Attack: Student Journalism in a New World.”

Keynote speakers will be Mike Hiestand, staff attorney with the Student Press Law Center, or SPLC, and Roger Catlin, arts writer for The Hartford Courant.

The annual High School Newspaper Contest is a highlight of the conference. To encourage greater participation, the deadline for entering publications in a variety of categories is being extended to April 10.

Also, Maine journalists lead conference workshops and discussions on topics from news writing and photography to ethical dilemmas and new technology.

Registration for the conference is open until April 22. Information about the conference, registration forms and contest materials are available from the Maine Center for Student Journalism at UMaine, 581-1278, or e-mail: olmstead@maine.edu.