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

Review of legal cases says much of ‘media policy’ censorship is illegal

More SPJ News:
– Carbajal, Mirfendereski appointed to SPJ Board of Directors for 2019-20
– SPJ contests add fact-checking, 360 video, data visualization categories

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 19, 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.

Upcoming events and deadlines

– 1/03/20: Application deadline: SPJ Foundation Grants (2020 election projects)
– 1/06/20: Application deadline: The POLITICO Journalism Institute Training Program
– 1/08/20: Application Deadline: Fulbright Germany's Berlin Capital Program for young American journalists and journalism students
– 1/14/20: Entry Deadline: Mark of Excellence Awards
– 1/19/20: Deadline for submissions: EIJ20 call for program proposals

>> 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

Ethics Case Studies: A controversial apology

After photographs of a speech and protests at Northwestern University appeared on the university's newspaper's website, some of the participants contacted the newspaper to complain. It became a “firestorm,” — first from students who felt victimized, and then, after the newspaper apologized, from journalists and others who accused the newspaper of apologizing for simply doing its job. The question: Is an apology the appropriate response?

2019 Mark of Excellence Awards: Nominations due January 14, 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 14, 2020.

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

Quill

Toolbox: What’s to like (and not like) about “likes” leaving Instagram?

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
– 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