Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

Reporting Safely and Ethically

Being a journalist can be rough, especially during times of turmoil. While the most difficult situations for journalists have historically been covering war zones, recent events prove journalists in the United States now face threats and danger while reporting on their home turf.

SPJ+1: Be a member, bring a member.

In an effort to build a stronger network of journalists, Hall wants every SPJ member to recruit at least one new member.

“The idea is so simple, it sounds silly. But I’m serious,” Hall says. “Together, we can boost SPJ’s membership by thousands of people, with one simple act each: Finding one person to join.”

The SPJ Race & Gender Hotline: Fast answers for confused journalists

SPJ has partnered with experienced Black and LGBT journalists and educators, including the Trans Journalists Association. They’ll offer concrete advice for your specific situation.

Even if you choose not to follow that advice, you’ll hang up with an enlightened grasp of the issues currently roiling the news media. And whatever happens on your call, it’s all off the record.

The Journalist's Toolbox

First Amendment

More Journalist's Toolbox:
– COVID-19 Vaccines
– Coronavirus | Other Pandemics
– Public Safety
– Winter Weather
– Environment Resources
– Journalism Jobs
– E-Newsletters
– Digital Security
– Economic Crisis

>> Visit The Journalist's Toolbox

New! Media Ethics: 5th Edition

Closely organized around SPJ's Code of Ethics, this updated edition uses real-life case studies to demonstrate how students and professionals in journalism and other communication disciplines identify and reason through ethical dilemmas.

Order now:
– Bookshop.org
– Amazon/Kindle
– IndieBound
– More

Let's do this together.

Is your organization hosting an event you think would be of interest to journalists? Add it to our calendar!

Upcoming SPJ events
– 2/25/21: Nomination Deadline: Fellows of the Society
– 2/26/21: SPJ is hiring! Application deadline: Journalism Ethics Assistant

Additional upcoming events
– 3/15/21: Workplace Integrity: Do You Qualify as an Ally? (Especially Now)
– 3/19/21: Deadline: SPJ Houston Pro Chapter High School Essay Contest

>> Full calendar

Quill

Mentoring in a New World

Legal Defense Fund in action: Your donations at work

Action speaks louder than words. See where your donation dollars go and read about the services the Legal Defense Fund has provided to journalists everywhere.

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

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

New! Media Ethics: 5th Edition

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: Donate Today

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.

Tools and Guidance for Freelancers

Join the Freelance Community Facebook group!

Great discussions await. If you have an interest in freelance journalism, you're invited to join our Facebook group.

On Your Own: A Guide to Freelance Journalism

The online version of the SPJ Freelance Community’s guide to freelancing. Free for all members.

Freelance Opportunities and Pitching Resources

– Freelance Opportunities: Discover new opportunities with this regularly-updated collection of fellowships, grants, awards, contests and training initiatives.

– Freelance Pitching Resources: Find your next outlet and craft a perfect pitch with this collection of publications and their pitching guidelines.

SPJ Freelancer Resources

– Freelance Business Basics (PDF)

– A Beginner’s Guide to Copyright for Freelance Journalists (PDF)

– SPJ Videos on Demand about Freelancing and Branding

– Contract Clauses on Copyright: A library of clauses from freelance journalism contracts

Journalism Training

The Journalist's Toolbox

First Amendment

>> 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

– General Information
– Contact Us
– Quill
– SPJ News
– Chapters
– Committees
– Communities
– Board of Directors
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– Awards
– Bylaws
– History of the Society
– Documentation
– Tools for SPJ Leaders

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
– Digital Journalism
– Diversity
– Ethics
– Freedom of Information
– Freelancing
– Generation J
– Global Journalism
– Journalism Training
– Jobs
– J-Students
– J-Educators

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.