Society of Professional Journalists - Improving and protecting journalism since 1909

SPJ Leads: Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Reporters struggle getting documents and sources during pandemic; First CCC Award winners announced

Coronavirus info and resources

@spj_tweets

– "As the coronavirus sweeps the country, forcing media companies to enact drastic cost-cutting plans, unionized newsrooms are putting the power of collective bargaining to the test." https://t.co/VWOKf8HlHy

– "While it's important that some information remains free, like breaking news that could impact the health and safety of their readers, they don't want that free information to cannibalize a surge in subscription interest." https://t.co/JwTUOA4GXN

– "Although public health experts say strict limitations on movement are required to contain the coronavirus, journalists are acutely aware of the risks posed to their work when governments and technology companies monitor citizens’ cellphone activities." https://t.co/VC7APF6rs8

SPJ is monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and the impact it has on our members and their work, as well as SPJ conferences and events. We are committed to sharing vital information and updates with our members and partners.

All of SPJ's spring regional conferences have been canceled or postponed. Follow this page for additional information, including rescheduled dates if/when those dates are announced.

The SDX Awards banquet in June and EIJ20 in September are both in Washington, D.C. We will continue to monitor and re-evaluate the situation as it pertains to each gathering.

We’re in this together.

To those affected by layoffs: SPJ supports you and wants to help.

– Membership dues waiver request
– SPJ’s Employment and Career Center: Apply for jobs, connect with journalists and more
– Journalists Helping Journalists [LinkedIn]
– Discounts, jobs, resources and more

– What you can do: Gift an SPJ membership, join our ranks, and help us help journalism

Let's do this together.

Is your organization hosting a webinar you think would be of interest to journalists? Submit the details here and we’ll help spread the word!

– 4/06/20: COVID-19 Has Made You Into a Health Reporter: Now What?
– 4/06/20: COVID-19 and Homelessness: A View from the Front Lines
– 4/07/20: COVID-19: Journalists and Doctors in Asia Collaborate To Fight Medical Misinformation, Share Tools and Tips

>> Full calendar

The CCC Awards for College Coronavirus Coverage

SPJ, the ACP and SND will recognize college journalists who are admirably covering a pandemic for little or no money while struggling with online classes.

Weekly winners are touted in SPJ and ACP’s social media and newsletters and receive a free one-year SPJ membership.

Learn more and nominate some great work (in minutes and for free) today.

The Journalist's Toolbox

First Amendment and Free Speech Resources

More Journalist's Toolbox:
– Fact-Checking Resources
– Public Records
– Digital Tools
– Twitter and Social Media Resources
– Public Safety Issues

>> Visit The Journalist's Toolbox

Additional resources and tips

– World Health Organization
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
– The Johns Hopkins coronavirus map
– U.S. Travel Association
– Meeting Professionals International
– The Open Notebook tip sheet
– Asian American Journalists Association tips for journalists
– Live updates
– Newsletters

The Newsroom Guide to COVID-19

The goal of this independently-produced document is to help newsroom managers provide clear, useful guidance to their reporters and editors during a period in which we lack official institutional direction on how best to respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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.

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

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

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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Upcoming events and deadlines

– 4/06/20: COVID-19 Has Made You Into a Health Reporter: Now What?
– 4/06/20: COVID-19 and Homelessness: A View from the Front Lines
– 4/07/20: COVID-19: Journalists and Doctors in Asia Collaborate To Fight Medical Misinformation, Share Tools and Tips
– 4/08/20: Teleconference: How to more safely report on the coronavirus and the COVID-19 epidemic
– 4/08/20: Covering Coronavirus: A Top Reporter's Daily Routine

>> Full calendar

Quill

White House sued over release of policies restricting CDC employee speech

The EIJ News: Apply now to join us in D.C.

SPJ is seeking 10 interns to cover the Excellence in Journalism 2020 conference for The EIJ News. Collegiate multimedia journalists are invited to apply by May 24 for these select positions.

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.

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!

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Join SPJ

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– 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

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.

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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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Missions and Resources

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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.

We’re in this together.

Let's do this together.

The CCC Awards for College Coronavirus Coverage

First Amendment and Free Speech Resources

Additional resources and tips

The Newsroom Guide to COVID-19

SPJ’s Code of Ethics

FOI step-by-step guides

Join the Freelance Community Facebook group!

On Your Own: A Guide to Freelance Journalism

Freelance Opportunities and Pitching Resources

SPJ Freelancer Resources

Upcoming events and deadlines

White House sued over release of policies restricting CDC employee speech

White House sued over release of policies restricting CDC employee speech

The EIJ News: Apply now to join us in D.C.

SPJ Historic Sites in Journalism: Virtual tour and nominations

SPJ’s Code of Ethics

Ethics Case Studies

Journalism Ethics Textbook

Ethics Help

The SPJ Foundation: Your Donation Matters

SPJ General Fund

First Amendment Forever Fund

Legal Defense Fund

First Amendment and Free Speech Resources

SPJ + Google News Initiative: Tools Training for Journalists

FOI step-by-step guides

#Press4Education

#Press 4 Education

SPJ: Who We Are

Chapters

Missions and Resources

Training Programs