Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

EIJ19: September 5-7, 2019

Join us this September in San Antonio for the journalism conference that could change your career. Register online by August 12 to be a part of it.

– EIJ19 website
– Online registration: Register today and save
– EIJ19 rates: What's included with your registration
– Plan your trip

Quill

Excerpt: Bio explores pioneering AIDS reporter Randy Shilts’ wounded heart/determined soul

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 7/25/19: D.C. Pro chapter freelancers' lunch
– 8/15/19: Deadline: SPJ Chapter Grant Applications
– 8/26/19: International Conference on Journalism and Mass Communication
– 9/05/19: Excellence in Journalism 2019
– 10/15/19: Deadline: SPJ Chapter Grant Applications

>> Full calendar

The Journalist's Toolbox

This free site from the Society of Professional Journalists contains thousands of links helpful for reporters, editors, educators or anyone else doing research.

This free site from the Society of Professional Journalists contains thousands of links helpful for reporters, editors, educators or anyone else doing research. Edited by former Los Angeles Times reporter and Arizona State University Professor of Practice Mike Reilley, the site is organized by beats and industry topics such as Public Records, Crime, Legal Issues, Science, Environment, Journalism Jobs, Sports and more. The Toolbox is updated twice weekly and several times a day during prominent global breaking news events.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior.

Learn more • Become a Member • Become a Supporter
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SPJ NEWS

Former Wyoming Gov. Sullivan to replace NBC’s Pete Williams as moderator of media trust forum

More SPJ News:
– SPJ optimistic about reopening of Duran case
– National journalists to close out 6-month Wyoming media trust project

SPJ Election Central

Everything you need to know about shaping SPJ’s future — both as a voting SPJ member and a candidate for office.

– Meet the candidates
– Run for office
– Cast your vote
– Regional Delegate information

SPJ + Google News Initiative: Tools Training for Journalists

SPJ and the Google News Initiative have teamed up to provide training and outreach to journalists around the U.S. looking to apply Google tools in their newsgathering, reporting and storytelling. Get all the details here.

Freedom of the Prez

A New Game Plan

More from Freedom of the Prez:
– SPJ Renaissance
– Executive Director Transition Plan
– Witnessing the testimony of Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée

Give to the SPJ General Fund and receive an anniversary pin!

When you donate to SPJ's General Fund, you are providing the resources to cover our most pressing needs and ensuring that membership fees remain affordable. If you donate $110 or more to the fund, you'll receive a special 110th anniversary pin. We only made 110 of them, so supplies are limited!

2019 SPJ Chapter Grants: Now taking applications

SPJ’s professional and college chapters are invited to apply for grants of up to $500 for local and regional programs. Get all the details here.

First Amendment T-shirts for sale

SPJ is selling First Amendment T-shirts. We now have two designs — the original "I Back the First" shirt, and the all-new "May the First Be With You" design.

Quo Vadis Democracy in an Age of Disinformation?

More than 30 groups attended SPJ’s World Press Freedom Day summit at the Paley Center for Media in New York City. Read all about it, and watch videos of every session — as well as Maria Ressa's keynote address and SPJ President J. Alex Tarquinio's remarks at UN Headquarters — right here.

For more than 100 years the Society of Professional Journalists has been dedicated to encouraging a climate in which journalism can be practiced more freely and fully, stimulating high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism and perpetuating a free press. Join us today!

Join SPJ

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Why Join?

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Join SPJ

– Join online in minutes today.

– Join SPJ with low monthly payments.

– Join SPJ as a supporter for only $20 a year.

– Join by mail using this downloadable form. [PDF]

– Membership expired? Renew in minutes today.

Why Join?

– How SPJ works for you: Advocacy, Development, connections, insights.

– Discounted rates for attending our convention and entering our national journalism awards.

– Get access to discounts on everything from insurance to hotel stays to AP Stylebooks and office supplies.

Journalism Ethics

SPJ’s Code of Ethics

SPJ declares these four principles as the foundation of ethical journalism and encourages their use in its practice by all people in all media.

Ethics Case Studies

There seems to be no shortage of ethical issues in journalism these days. Let these sample cases — nearly 20 in all — guide you in your classes, speeches, columns, workshops or research.

For journalism instructors and others interested in presenting ethical dilemmas for debate and discussion, SPJ has a useful resource. We've been collecting a number of case studies for use in workshops. The Ethics AdviceLine operated by the Chicago Headline Club and Loyola University also has provided a number of examples. There seems to be no shortage of ethical issues in journalism these days. Please feel free to use these examples in your classes, speeches, columns, workshops or other modes of communication.

— Index
— Using the ‘Holocaust’ Metaphor
— Aaargh! Pirates! (and the Press)
— Reigning on the Parade
— Controversy over a Concert
— Deep Throat, and His Motive
— When Sources Won’t Talk
— A Suspect “Confession”
— Who’s the “Predator”?
— The Media’s Foul Ball
— Publishing Drunk Drivers’ Photos
— Naming Victims of Sex Crimes
— A Self-Serving Leak
— The Times and Jayson Blair
— Cooperating with the Government
— Offensive Images
— The Sting
— A Media-Savvy Killer
— A Congressman’s Past
— Crafting a Policy

Journalism Ethics Textbook

Closely organized around SPJ's code of ethics, this updated edition uses real-life case studies to demonstrate how journalism students and pros can identify and reason through ethical dilemmas.

Ethics Help

Have a dilemma? Our experts are standing by. Get your questions answered here.

— Frequently Asked Questions
— Ethics Hotline Information

Donate

The SPJ Foundation: Your Donation Matters

The work of the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation (formerly Sigma Delta Chi Foundation) depends on time, talent and financial support from journalists and others who support these goals.

SPJ General Fund

When you donate to the General Fund, you are providing the resources to cover SPJ’s most pressing needs and ensuring that membership fees remain affordable. In an ever more challenging environment, your support is needed now more than ever.

First Amendment Forever Fund

It isn’t getting any easier to fight for press freedom. It’s getting worse. The Forever Fund is a sustained war chest to guarantee someone is always fighting for press freedom. If we don’t do it, who will?

Legal Defense Fund

The Society's Legal Defense Fund provides journalists with legal or direct financial assistance. SPJ collects and distributes contributions for aiding journalists in defending the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Explore SPJ

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Chapters

SPJ's lengthy roster of chapters provide its backbone. Locate, participate in and develop a chapter here.

Find chapters in your state

SPJ's lengthy roster of chapters provide its backbone. The local chapter is the conduit SPJ members require to learn about events in their local journalism community as well as positions that journalists are taking nationwide on topics such as Freedom of Information and First Amendment rights. Locate, participate in and develop a chapter here.

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Missions and Resources

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Training Programs

Ready to raise your game and take your career to new places? Let SPJ help with its selection of training programs and workshops.