Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

SPJ is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism.

Learn more • Become a Member
Become a Supporter • Donate • Find a Chapter

2019 SPJ Regional Conferences

SPJ’s Regional Conferences are day-long professional development meetings bringing area journalists, students and journalism educators together in one place to hear from industry experts on a wealth of topics.

We’re in this together.

To those affected by layoffs and buyouts: SPJ supports you and wants to help.

– Membership dues waiver request
– Discounts, jobs, resources and more
– What you can do: Gift an SPJ membership, join our ranks, and help us help journalism

2018 Sigma Delta Chi Awards: Nominations due February 19

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards are among the premiere prizes in the profession and recognize achievement in all forms of journalism: print, television, radio, graphics, magazines, research, newsletters and online. Follow this link for more details and to submit your work for consideration.

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 1/23/19: Greater Cincy Pro Freelancers Lunch
– 1/25/19: Arkansas SPJ FREE Facebook Training for Journalists
– 2/19/19: Entry Deadline: Sigma Delta Chi Awards
– 2/19/19: Entry Deadline: SPJ New America Award
– 2/22/19: Postmark Deadline: SPJ National High School Essay Contest

>> Full calendar

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
Find a Chapter • Donate

SPJ NEWS

SPJ is here to help

More SPJ News:
– SPJ’s first appointed directors complete the unique 2018-19 national board
– SPJ urges Philippine government to drop charges against Rappler and Maria Ressa

>> SPJ News Archive

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.

Quill

Is news without names the new normal?

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.

New America Award: Nominations due February 19

The New America Award honors collaborative public service journalism by ethnic and mainstream media working together to explore and expose an issue or importance to immigrant or ethnic communities in the United States.

Updated for 2019! On Your Own: A Guide to Freelance Journalism

The online version of the SPJ Freelance Community’s guide to freelancing, now updated with new information for 2019. Free for all members.

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.

2019 High School Essay Contest

This year's topic: “What is the role and importance of the Fourth Estate in American society?”

Entries due February 22, 2019.

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!

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– Join online in minutes today as a professional, student, post-graduate, retired, lifetime or household member.

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Why Join?

– How SPJ works for you: Development, career support, local connections, advocacy, industry insights.

– Discounted rates for attending our Excellence in Journalism Conference and nominating your work for SPJ’s Sigma Delta Chi and Mark of Excellence Awards.

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

– Member-only website features: Join communities, watch on-demand training videos and webinars, add your information to the Freelancer Directory read our guide for freelancers, and more as part of your SPJ membership.

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

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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