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

SPJ NEWS

SPJ urges Pentagon to reconsider Stars and Stripes cuts

More SPJ News:
– Pulliam Fellowship supports editorial investigation into crumbling homes in Connecticut, Canada, Ireland
– SPJ supports NPR journalists facing challenges from State Department

February Special! Join SPJ today and save as much as 33% on your membership

Special rates are in effect until February 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applies to new memberships only.

– Why join SPJ?
– Special discount rates
– Join today!

2019 Sigma Delta Chi Awards: Nominations due February 25, 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.

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 2/25/20: Entry Deadline: Sigma Delta Chi Awards
– 2/25/20: Entry Deadline: SPJ New America Award
– 2/29/20: Google Tools Training, hosted by SPJ Houston Pro
– 3/11/20: Sunshine Week Essay Deadline
– 3/15/20: Sunshine Week

>> 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 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.

The Journalist's Toolbox

Public Records

More Journalist's Toolbox:
– Digital Tools
– Mobile Journalism
– Data Journalism Tools
– Transcription Tools
– Photojournalism Links

>> Visit The Journalist's Toolbox

2020 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. Get dates and details for upcoming conferences here.

New America Award: Nominations due February 25, 2020

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.

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

The Journalist's Toolbox

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
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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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