Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

Invest in SPJ's future!

SPJ needs your help. An SPJ task force is working with members to create a strategic plan to strengthen the industry and the organization for years to come. We will hold three online focus groups in October to answer these important questions. Get more details here.

– Strategic Planning Task Force
– FAQ

SPJ Board of Directors Meeting with Public Comment Period: October 19,
Noon-2 p.m. ET

– Download meeting materials
– Watch/listen live
– Call-in info
– Leave comments

Freedom of the Prez

Best of the Best

More from Freedom of the Prez:
– Talking back: New org chart should help with communication
– Bread-and-butter year ahead for SPJ
– The Last Word

SPJ NEWS

SPJ condemns video showing Trump likeness violently attacking media and opponents

More SPJ News:
– SPJ appalled by alleged treatment of journalist by Customs and Border Protection official
– Resolutions passed at Excellence in Journalism 2019

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 + 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.

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.

Quill

The SPJ Code of Ethics at 110

More from Quill:
– 10 with Brian Stelter
– Looking backward: 1909
– Teaching truth

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 10/19/19: SPJ Board of Directors Meeting
– 10/22/19: DC SPJ Freelance Lunch
– 10/23/19: Hearken's Engagement Innovation Summit
– 10/26/19: Please take a minute now to invest in SPJ's future! [Pros]
– 10/29/19: Please take a minute now to invest in SPJ's future! [Students]

>> Full calendar

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.

Explore SPJ

SPJ: Who We Are

– General Information
– Contact Us
– Quill
– SPJ News
– Chapters
– Committees
– Communities
– Board of Directors
– Headquarters Staff
– 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.