Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

SPJ NEWS

SPJ Legal Defense Fund helps bring North Carolina public records case to successful conclusion

More SPJ News:
– SPJ condemns restrictions on impeachment coverage
– Review of legal cases says much of ‘media policy’ censorship is illegal

EIJ20 Call for Program Proposals

SPJ is accepting program proposals for the Excellence in Journalism 2020 conference. If you have a program proposal or ideas for the conference, please submit your proposal here. Program proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. ET January 26, 2020.

2019 Mark of Excellence Awards: Nominations due January 21, 2020

The Mark of Excellence Awards honor the best in collegiate journalism. Get all the details and enter your work here. Nominations are due at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 21, 2020.

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 1/21/20: Entry Deadline: Mark of Excellence Awards
– 1/26/20: Deadline for submissions: EIJ20 call for program proposals
– 2/01/20: Law & the Media Seminar
– 2/01/20: Deadline: The Livingston Awards
– 2/01/20: Deadline: Knight-Wallace Fellowship Applications

>> 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.

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SPJ Historic Sites in Journalism: Virtual tour and nominations

SPJ's Historic Sites in Journalism recognition honors individuals, news organizations and places of national historic journalism interest. Take a virtual tour of previous Historic Sites honorees, and nominate a new site for distinction today.

SPJ Foundation Grants

Annually, the SPJ Foundation awards about $300,000 in grant monies. Apply today.

Deadline to apply:
– For time-sensitive projects related to the 2020 election ONLY: January 3, 2020
– For other projects (including those 2020 election projects that are less time-sensitive): February 16, 2020

2019 Sigma Delta Chi Awards: Nominations due February 18, 2020

The SDX 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.

Quill

Update: “Bombshell,” “Richard Jewell” and more

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

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

– Use our AutoDues option to 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: 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

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.

Journalism Training

The Journalist's Toolbox

Digital Tools

More Journalist's Toolbox:
– Freelance Resources
– Public Records
– Investigative / Backgrounding
– Diversity Links
– Fact-Checking Resources

>> Visit The Journalist's Toolbox

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.

FOI step-by-step guides

If you're unfamiliar with FOIA laws or just need some guidance, we can help.

– FOI for students
– FOI for pros

Additional guides:
– Reporter’s Guide to FERPA: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
– Open Doors: Accessing Government Records
– Campus Access Center

#Press4Education

#Press 4 Education

SPJ and the Journalism Education Association are looking to match journalists and K-12 teachers in a nationwide effort to bring more journalism education to schools. The project, #Press4Education, provides lesson plans, presentations and other resources to journalists who want to volunteer to share their knowledge. Get the details — and get involved — here.

Explore SPJ

SPJ: Who We Are

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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.

Jump to:
— Region 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12

Missions and Resources

– Awards
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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.