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Quick Facts |
Missions |
History |
Publications |
Programs
The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism.
The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization,
dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high
standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes
the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire
and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment
guarantees of freedom of speech and press.
Quick Facts
— Founded: 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi fraternity
— Location: Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center, 3909 N. Meridian
St., Indianapolis
— Purpose: To Improve & Protect Journalism
— Membership: About 9,000 members nationwide
— Operating budget: $1.7 million annually
Mission
The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to the perpetuation of
a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.
To ensure that the concept of self-government outlined by the United States
Constitution remains a reality into future centuries, the American people must
be well-informed in order to make decisions regarding their lives and their
local and national communities. It is the role of journalists to provide this
information in an accurate, comprehensive, timely, and understandable manner.
It is the mission of the Society of Professional Journalists:
— To encourage a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely and fully
— To promote this flow of information
— To stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism
— To foster excellence and to encourage diversity among journalists
— To inspire successive generations of talented individuals to become dedicated
journalists
— Finally, the Society must maintain constant vigilance in protection of First
Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press
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History
Founded: SPJ was founded in 1909 at DePauw University in Greencastle,
Ind., as a journalistic fraternity known as Sigma Delta Chi. In 1988, the
organization officially changed its name to the Society of Professional Journalists.
Membership: SPJ is a professional organization that includes broadcast,
print and online journalists, journalism educators , and students interested
in journalism as a career.
Tax-exempt status: The Society is a not-for-profit organization exempt
from federal income tax under Section 501(c)6 of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Publications
Quill magazine: Quill, published 10 times a year, presents insights
on the long-term impact of news industry developments and documents controversies
regarding press freedoms. The magazine also includes news about SPJ.
Freedom of Information alerts: SPJ sends alerts about important state
and national legal decisions and court cases. Members receive electronic notification.
PressNotes: Daily electronic summary provides news about the media.
Diversity Sourcebook: SPJ is developing a database to link reporters
with diverse and non-traditional sources around the country. It will be available
through the Web site at www.spj.org.
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Programs
The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to quality, responsible
journalism as the foundation of a free and informed society. On individual and
industry levels, SPJ seeks to Improve & Protect Journalism through a variety
of programs and projects:
Freedom of Information
— The Society of Professional Journalists leads the media in the areas of
Freedom of Information and open records with projects aimed at maximizing
access for all journalists. SPJ presents an annual report on FOI in Quill
magazine and presents regular reports on FOI topics making news.
— The Society’s legal counsel tracks administrative, legislative, and
judicial developments and makes SPJ’s voice heard through court filings
and petitions on behalf of journalists who have been shut out of hearings,
denied access to information, or forced by courts to turn over notes and research.
Legal Defense Fund
— The Legal Defense Fund is a unique account to help journalists involved
in access and shield-law cases.
— Awards from the fund provide journalists with legal or direct financial
assistance.
— The fund is supported through contributions and an ongoing fund-raising
campaign.
Project Sunshine
— SPJ’s 50-state, grassroots Sunshine Network identifies threats to public
access and government and organizes efforts to resist those threats.
— The program focuses the attention of all SPJ chapters and leaders on Freedom
of Information issues at the local, chapter, and state levels.
— Last year, state coordinators prepared a database of state access policies
for journalists seeking interviews with prison inmates.
Responsible journalism
— SPJ works to ensure that journalists perform their work while adhering to
the highest standards of behavior and decision-making.
— The first Code of Ethics was adopted in 1926. The code is embraced by thousands
of writers, editors, and other news professionals. It instructs journalists
to seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently, and be accountable.
SPJ’s goal is not to provide all of the answers or settle all of the
disputes but to teach journalists how to make clear, defensible decisions.
— From the code, SPJ has developed important programs including conferences,
an awards program, and an issue of Quill magazine focusing on ethics to assist
journalists in enhancing their ability to identify ethical issues and dilemmas.
Member network
— More than 250 chapters nationwide bring educational programming to local
areas and offer regular contact with other professionals.
— Members have a wide background including print, broadcast, and online journalism
and trade publications.
National convention
— The annual event offers more than 50 educational sessions designed to teach
new skills, refine techniques, and reach other professionals with common interests
and concerns.
— Every year, the gathering rotates to a new location where journalists can
connect, learn, and relax.
— The national convention is SPJ’s largest program.
Workshops and seminars
— National and regional conferences cover writing, reporting, and editing
as well as broader topics of ethics and Freedom of Information.
— Programs are scheduled throughout the country, making them convenient to
members.
Awards programs
— SPJ promotes excellence in journalism through its Sigma Delta Chi awards
for professional journalists in print, broadcast, online, and research journalism.
The Mark of Excellence awards program honors the outstanding work of student
journalists.
— A $75,000 Pulliam Editorial Writing Fellowship allows one editorial writer
to take a year to study a topic of choice.
— The Pulliam/Kilgore Freedom of Information Internship program annually offers
two students the opportunity to study, research, and write about FOI issues.
The program is funded through a grant from SPJ’s educational arm, the
Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.
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Our Mission
The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to the perpetuation of
a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.
To ensure that the concept of self-government outlined by the U.S. Constitution
remains a reality into future centuries, the American people must be well informed
in order to make decisions regarding their lives, and their local and national
communities.
It is the role of journalists to provide this information in an accurate, comprehensive,
timely and understandable manner.
It is the mission of the Society of Professional Journalists:
— To promote this flow of information.
— To maintain constant vigilance in protection of the First Amendment guarantees
of freedom of speech and of the press.
— To stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism.
— To foster excellence among journalists.
— To inspire successive generations of talented individuals to become dedicated
journalists.
— To encourage diversity in journalism.
— To be the pre-eminent, broad-based membership organization for journalists.
— To encourage a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely.
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